Buoyed by Sunday’s FAI Cup first round success, Galway United return to the capital tomorrow for an SSE Airtricity League first division encounter against Cabinteely at Stradbrook (7.45pm ).
United negotiated the awkward Collinstown hurdle despite falling behind early on with Conor Barry netting a brace to set up an attractive second round clash against Cork City.
Manager Alan Murphy was satisfied with the endeavour and result as United now face promotion-chasing Cabinteely in Friday's league clash.
“We are happy to be into the next round,” Murphy admits. “We gave ourselves a mini mountain early on with a bad goal conceded by putting no pressure on the ball. I thought it was an excellent piece of play, a very good move, but we reacted well to the early setback.
“We didn't move the ball well in the first half, we didn't move it quick enough. They sat in trying to catch us on the counter, and we didn't know what to do when we had time on the ball. In the second half I thought we moved the ball better. We created lots of chances.
“If we had gone 3-1, I think we could have got a good bit more, but they stayed in the game to be fair. They played percentages, they got a corner with the last kick of the game with the goalkeeper coming up. We are happy to be in the next round, but now we go back to the league.”
How United thundered back into the game against Collinstown bodes well, according to Murphy, who was also encouraged by the impact of three teenage substitutes Donal Higgins, Colin Kelly, and Dara Costelloe.
“I was happy with the response and large parts of our play and our movement with what we were trying to do. Rome wasn't build in a day.
“The three lads who came on - Donal Higgins and Colin Kelly, two 17-year-olds, and Dara Costelloe, who is 16 - I thought they could have five goals between them. They had some great efforts, but it wasn't to be. It was tight, but we are in the hat and we will move on.”
Murphy says the cup is important for United this season.
"We wanted to get into the next round, I'm not saying we are being disrespectful to the league at all, but we are able to try things out in the league to give guys development and experience.
“We wanted to progress in the cup, so we needed to put out a team that would be best suited for that. I thought the young lads came on and they brought a real freshness to it. When they came on, it could have been four, five, or six more.”
Recent recruits Jack Lynch, Killian Brouder, and Stephen Christopher all contributed to the United win which also encouraged Murphy.
"Jack Lynch played 60 minutes, I thought he was fine, he will improve,” Murphy remarks. “Killian is only in the club, he did well and is a leader for us. Stephen Christopher does exactly what it says on the tin, he has experience, he can keep the ball well, he can play in several positions.
“Conor Barry had two good finishes. He ran out of steam, but he has been out with hamstring and different injuries. He is working his way back in, and it is great for his confidence to react like that.”
