United’s defeat by pace setters latest blow to play-off hopes

TWO months ago after losing to a last gasp Jesse Devers goal up at Finn Park, Galway United then produced a monumental performance against the runaway leaders UCD, a comprehensive 2-0 win that left those in attendance feeling that a bid for the title wasn’t beyond them.
That day United overcame a team that has sat at the summit all season, however since then they have never come close to matching that performance and 11 points from their next ten games has left the Tribesmen in a situation where even the play-offs could be a stretch too far.
In the space of six minutes early in the second half, goals from Daire O’Connor and Yoyo Mahdy put an end to any hopes of a United win at the Belfield Bowl on Friday night, leading to a situation where not only will they have to go on a strong run in their remaining six matches, but may also need a slip up from their play-off rivals.
Another night to forget could have begun so brightly for the visitors when a poor back pass was intercepted by Eoin McCormack resulting in Josh Collins pulling him down for a penalty on five minutes, only for Conor Kearns to guess right and make a great save from the Ballinasloe man.
Two minutes later, the students came close to breaking the deadlock when an inswinging free from Gary O’Neill ventured towards the top corner, but Robbie Williams would make it back onto the goal line to head the ball clear.
United were playing with five in the middle in a formation which saw Tadgh Ryan generally put deliveries into that area where the extra numbers would win possession before attacking at pace, but the students were well drilled and contained Alan Murphy’s troops to little more than attempts from range.
While the visitors favoured hitting it long and quickly turning defence into attack, UCD were a little more patient and were happy just to pass the ball around before bursting up the channels through Daire O’Connor and Neil Farrugia.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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