It remains early in the SSE Airtricity League first division season, but Galway United’s Eamonn Deacy Park fixture against Limerick FC carries huge importance tomorrow evening (7.45pm ).
Having suffered two recent defeats in the first division and EA Sports Cup away to Cabinteely and Waterford FC, Alan Murphy’s United outfit will be eager to respond on home turf.
Murphy was satisfied with United’s gritty display in the RSC against Waterford, despite another loss.
"Obviously it is a results-based business, but where we are, we need to start with performances,” Murphy says.
Worryingly, though, United conceded two soft goals which were preventable as lapses in concentration proved costly.
“Looking at the Waterford game, it was a very positive performance,” he says. “A 2-1 defeat is not a really fair reflection of what happened on the night as we performed really well. Probably again a bad mistake from a set piece meant we conceded.
“I think we turned the corner again in terms of performance, and I can stand by that performance which is very pleasing. That is something very positive to take into Friday night.”
Considering the curious manner in which the campaign has commenced in the first division, a United success would steer Murphy’s team back into a healthy position.
“I suppose if you want to put it that way, it would get us back in the hunt,” Murphy admits. “Every week now there are upsets, everyone you expect to win, doesn't win."
That ensured it is a condensed league providing United with possibilities if a solid run can be stitched together.
“It is exciting for the first division, it is good to see that nobody is running away with it,” Murphy adds. “We can only look after ourselves and we need to get the performance back up to scratch and hopefully that will lead to a result."
Limerick have enjoyed a couple of encouraging triumphs in recent weeks, but Murphy acknowledges that there are similarities between the visitors and United presently.
“It would be fair to say that both clubs are in transition at the moment on and off the pitch. Limerick have done very well so far and they have taken big scalps. Looking at Cabinteely game a fortnight ago, they really had a strong performance on a difficult pitch.”
With familiar faces involved in the respective clubs Murphy accepts Limerick will provide a stern test in the west.
“They are definitely someone we won't be taking lightly,” he says. “They have a lot of experienced and talented players. I think we have that too, so it should hopefully be a good game. Some of the players have played for Limerick and Galway United on different sides, which adds something else too.”
