Tomorrow night’s clash between Galway United and Waterford was always likely to be a significant one as we enter the business end of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.
However, the significance for a clash between promoted was expected to relate to the relegation picture, rather than the race for European places.
Waterford’s form of late, winning 5 of their last 7, has catapulted them to a position of genuine European contenders. They sit third, three points ahead of Shamrock Rovers and six ahead of United.
If United are to remain in the conversation, then a result on Friday feels imperative. There has been squad turnover in both outfits in the window. However, United’s record against their old promotion rivals should not be overlooked.
Since the disappointing playoff defeat in the Markets Field in 2022, United have faced Waterford six times, winning four and drawing the other two. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, but there should be no shortage of confidence in the United camp.
They should also be buoyed by their second half display against Bohemians last week. It ought to have been enough for three points. Yet, after an enthralling encounter, United were cruelly denied a late winner after Patrick Hickey had forced the ball over the line.
Speaking after that game, Galway United Assistant Manager Ollie Horgan did not hold back in his criticism for referee Eoghan O’ Shea. The Dublin referee had also been involved in some other controversial calls with the Tribesmen this season, a record that was on the mind of Horgan.
When pressed for his view on a dramatic ending, Horgan said: “You’re in the wrong room to ask that. You need to go into the room next door. I spoke to him [O’Shea] at the end. The referee said that he blew before the ball went over the line which is an utter fabrication because we are after looking at it over and over again.
“To be fair to Richard Storey, the linesman, he flagged and ran back to the half-way line. Bohs didn’t even complain. The next thing he disallows. He said that Pat Hickey led with his arm. I’m not quite sure, leading with your arm, he didn’t touch the ball with his arm, he didn’t touch the keeper. The keeper had a great game.
“That’s a number of times that the same official has given huge decisions. He did a game in the Brandywell, where Shane McEleney handled the ball. If it was at the other end, I have no doubt that it would have been given.
“He gave a goal away that we scored. Karl O’ Sullivan scored a goal in Sligo and he gave me the same excuse. He blew before he kicked the ball. Another fabrication.
“However, is he a bad fellow? No. Is he up to the standard? I’ll let you decide that.”
Though clearly annoyed with the ending, Horgan was happy to take some positives from the performance in a game where his side had started under the pump.
“We are very disappointed to have conceded two weeks in a row from a corner-kick, something that we were very good at in the First Division and got to grips with in the Premier Division. He [O’ Shea] couldn’t wait to get the whistle for the penalty although we are not saying it wasn’t a penalty.”
“We ran our luck. Adam McDonnell had a great chance to make it two. If they got a second, it would have been curtains. The long and the short of it was they didn’t get a second and we got back into the game.”
“From there to the end, I thought we were excellent. I thought the crowd were excellent. It’s disappointing that the first topic of conversation is not about Garry Buckley or Ross Tierney, it is about the referee. It should never be about them.”
There were undeniable positives from a home perspective. Jimmy Keohane, Bobby Burns and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe all made their bows against Bohs. Keohane was tricky and impressive on the wing. Burns was assured when introduced at left-back. Ogedi-Uzokwe didn’t get much time but carries a strong League of Ireland pedigree.
There were further minutes for the new arrivals, trialists and squad players in a friendly against Linfield last Saturday, that finished in a 1-0 win for the home team in Belfast.
The next five scheduled fixtures for United will go a long way to determining just how good this season might be. After Waterford, John Caulfield’s side host Longford in the FAI Cup. Thereafter, in the league, they travel to Sligo and Dundalk before hosting St. Pat’s in a game laced with sub-plots.
There is plenty left to play for.
