A draw at Turner's Cross marked the spot that United need to build from for the remainder of the season. They struggled early, but showed grit and athleticism and grew into a game they could have even snuck late on.
There should be no snap judgements, but a few things are apparent. The absences of Garry Buckley, Conor McCormack and Ed McCarthy were all felt. Patrick Hickey is only getting better. Vince Borden continues to be dependable, ever since the double on his debut in Ballybofey. Greg Cunningham is every inch the leader it was hoped he would be.
Less is sure about the new arrivals. Only one started, Moses Dyer. He will take time to adapt but there were enough flickers of quality to keep the hope for him burning. Max Wilson was game when introduced and endeared himself to a raucous away support with a couple of thundering challenges.
Assistant Manager Ollie Horgan was straight and direct in his assessment of his side’s opener.
“It could have gone any way. We could have won. We could have lost. We could have been 2-0 down after six minutes. There’s no one pretending we don’t need to improve, we do. In the wider scheme of things, a draw away in Cork is not the worst result in the world. We need to be better on Friday. You have to move on very quickly.”
Despite a career at the top of the game, Horgan is an often-misunderstood proposition. The occasional touchline theatrics mask a methodical thinker who vigorously pursues the small percentages that can swing a moment, a game, or a season. In this vein, he was disciplined when he spoke to the media on Tuesday. He likely figures that when the odds are already against you, there is no point in giving anything else to your opponents.
His platitudes for tomorrow night’s opponents, St Pat’s, are understandable. It is something additional for the home fans to savour. A former Irish boss, a million-pound-plus teenager destined for the Premier League, an ensemble of some of the best talent in the league. The realistic prospect that they will have an uncomfortable night.
Horgan provides the context of the challenge faced by a side that won nine league games on the spin to finish last season. Before last Friday, they last dropped points on the Dyke Road last August.
“They’ve kept their squad, and they’ve added serious quality with Sean Hoare, Kian Leavy, and Barry Baggley on top of what they already had. We have quality too. It’s a mighty game to look forward to. We are talking about one of the top teams in the country coming to Terryland. We know what is ahead of us. We have every intention of going at the game to try and get something out of it.”
There was also positive news to relay, the capture of defender Cian Byrne on loan who provides the squad with quality and experience that belies his 21 years.
“We have one new addition. We have signed Cian Byrne on loan until the window in the summer. We had a number of injuries in that area of the pitch. Cian is a right-sided defender, and we liked him from Longford when Galway were in the First Division two seasons ago. He was outstanding in the two games, I think the only two that Galway lost in Longford. He was on our radar.
“He had a very good season last season with Bohemians so when the option came that he might be let out on loan, we jumped at it. He will be available for selection on Friday.”
The news on Conor McCormack and Garry Buckley was slightly more circumspect.
“They both have injuries. They’re both in getting treatment today [Tuesday]. Let’s see will they be available. They will be available in hopefully, the next number of, I’d love to say days, but that might be pushing it! It’s not that long-term thankfully. Colm Horgan and Ed McCarthy are carrying knocks but we’re hopeful they might be available.”
Having had success at Finn Harps for years against all odds, Horgan’s opinions on the league more broadly carry significant weight. It was put to him that the league has never been tougher, a sentiment shared broadly.
“Last year, a serious club was going to be relegated, it happened to be Dundalk. You’re looking at it this year, you’re going to have a big club getting relegated also, don’t mind the playoff. We have brought in players that we think can improve us and try to improve our finish last year. We are going to have ups and downs with the quality that is in the division, especially away from home. There is a feel-good factor in it. There is no real fear factor. We will have a cut at it.”
That is the simple proposition that will enliven Terryland tomorrow. Stephen Kenny, Mason Melia, Zach Elbouzedi et al, will travel to Galway expecting a game and will leave feeling that they’ve been in one, regardless of the outcome.
Fans will feel they have their part to play and will bounce down the Dyke Road before kick-off. Therein lies the beauty.
