United hit by absentees

Date Published: 28-Sep-2007

GALWAY United will have to pick themselves up off the floor following their thrashing at the hands of Shamrock Rovers a fortnight ago when St. Patrick’s Athletic travel to Terryland Park on Friday night (kickoff 7.45pm) as the league resumes after a one-week break for the FAI Cup.

Having presided over their heaviest defeat in almost three years since the 6-2 tonking dished out by Kildare County on the last day of the 2004 season, United managerTony Cousins will at least be thankful of having had a free weekend to try and rebuild his side’s confidence for the last push to avoid an immediate return to life in the First Division.

That 4-0 defeat in Tolka Park a couple of weeks ago was another of an increasing number of tales of woe surrounding United’s first campaign in back in the top flight in six seasons — a pathetic home record of one home win in 13 games; no apparent benefit from being a full-time set-up; and a series of shoddy performances, particularly against part time sides such as Waterford United and Bray Wanderers, have all combined to make it a season which will be best forgotten.

The patience of United fans has been remarkable this season — an average of just under 2,150 people have turned up for United’s home league games this season, but bar the one high point of victory over Sligo Rovers last month, they have had little to shout about.

There have been…..