Galway United manager John Caulfield was satisfied with Friday’s SSE Airtricity League 1-0 first division win over Cobh Ramblers at St Colman’s Park.
Ruairi Keating’s first half goal ensured United left armed with the full complement of spoils and now have three fixtures remaining ahead of the promotion play/offs.
United were due to play Bray Wanderers tomorrow, but that match is now expected to be refixed for October 22. Either side of that tussle United face Wexford FC at Eamonn Deacy Park and Cork City at Turners Cross.
Caulfield acknowledged United’s attitude and application during an awkward assignment in Cobh. “It is always a tough place to go, a tight pitch, a good club with a new manager in,” Caulfield says.
“He has made changes to his team and they were lively. From the start of the game we were focused ourselves and continued on from the win the week before against UCD. While it was a different type of game we were very dominant.”
Keating netted in the opening period, but subsequently failed to convert a penalty after the restart. “Ruairi scored after 25 minutes and we certainly created a number of chances,” Caulfield says.
“Obviously we missed the peno, their keeper made some very good saves so we missed chances to get the second goal, that was probably the only frustrating thing on the night - that we did not get the second goal. At the same time we kept a clean sheet and it was a solid performance by us.”
United boss Caulfield acknowledges the relevance of concluding the campaign with a flourish ahead of the play/offs next month. “It is important, we also have competition for places and game time,” he replies.
“Conor Kearns, Conor McCormack, and Stephen Walsh came in, they all came back in after not playing against UCD. So it gives us a chance to give players game time, but the most important thing is we need to keep our performances good, we need to win games. Winning gives you that confidence so hopefully we can keep doing that up until and including the play/offs.
“It is a crucial part of the season, you have a lot of game time too so you are trying to keep performances good, you are trying to keep the winning momentum, but crucially trying to avoid injuries and suspensions. They are the things we will be looking at over the next period of time.”
