A bumper attendance is expected at Eamonn Deacy Park for Saturday's friendly between Galway United and a Liverpool XI, kick off 2pm.
Tommy Dunne's side do not have an SSE Airtricity League premier division game this weekend so the match with Liverpool is an opportunity for the United boss to allow some youngsters in his squad to demonstrate their potential.
“We have our friendly game which allows me to bring in players to play and give other players a bit of a break,” Dunne said as the Tribesmen prepare for a crunch July 24 clash with Bray Wanderers.
“It will give guys games. Overall it is coming into a bit of a rest period, but we have to be strong going into the Bray game. Bray won again last weekend which puts them right up there with us.”
Galway United under 19 manager Johnny Glynn is preparing for their upcoming campaign and some of those impressing in training will be used in the Liverpool encounter.
Last Saturday’s Jake Keegan-inspired league win over Limerick at the Markets Field encouraged Dunne.
“When you are away from home, any three points you pick up is hugely important. We felt it was going to be a difficult game for us and we were proved right.
“For us to pick up three points is fantastic. Every point you pick up between now and the end of the season could be the difference staying in the division or not. In fairness to the boys, they are trying to look forward rather than back.”
Now 17 points clear of basement boys Limerick, Dunne insists United will need to be similarly gutsy for the rest of the season.
“I think it is going to be a dogfight. We said that from the start. When Limerick get all their players back, they will cause teams problems. There is a lot of football to be played yet. Nobody is getting carried away, but for us it was a good three points.”
Despite taking an early lead Galway struggled in the opening period before taking charge after the restart. “They were on top for most of the first half. In certain sections of the pitch we needed to play quicker and to keep the ball a little bit more. We emphasised that at half time in no uncertain terms.
“We wanted the team to be more dynamic and to be better with the ball. Second half we were a lot better."
But Dunne was irked by another goal conceded from a set piece.
“Even when you’re not playing well, to concede at a set piece is just ridiculous at this stage. I think enough is enough. People have to take responsibility whether they are 17 or 18 years of age or whether they are 37 it doesn’t matter. You cannot switch off. That is what is happening to us. Not so much switching off, but not being clued in properly. It is a hard learning curve for us because it has cost us so dearly."
