A remarkable run of five SSE Airtricity League first division wins in 17 days for Galway United ensures tomorrow’s Eamonn Deacy Park encounter against Cobh Ramblers (7.45pm ) is loaded with importance.
John Caulfield’s sterling work since arriving in the west means United are now very much involved in the race for a promotion play off berth as they are now level on points with UCD in fifth place.
Last weekend brought more joy for United. On Friday they edged out Wexford courtesy of an opportunistic Enda Curran header before Stephen Christopher’s free kick deep into stoppage time defeated Cabinteely on Monday.
Eleven goals have been scored, and three clean sheets in four matches now have been delivered by goalkeeper Kevin Horgan, adding to the growing sense of satisfaction and optimism in the west.
“A phenomenal win,” Caulfield says about the success at Stradbrook. “We came up here to a very big pitch, Cabinteely are a really good side, but in the first half we played really well. Shane Duggan hit the crossbar, Enda had two good chances, they were dangerous at set-pieces, but we felt at half-time going in that we possibly could have had two penalties.
“Certainly the first one was early, but the second one looked definite. You get in at nil all and I said to the lads to keep passing, to keep playing. We were doing great, the second half Stephen Christopher had a shot off the post and their 'keeper made a fantastic save.”
Marc Ludden’s dismissal midway through the second period was another blow United dealt with in impressive fashion.
“We just couldn't seem to get the breakthrough,” Caulfield adds. “Marc getting sent off with 20 minutes to go, they threw a bit of caution to the wind, but our defending was phenomenal.
“Kevin Horgan made a great save in injury time before we went up to show the character and strength that the group have in coming together in the last few weeks. Stephen Christopher with a fantastic free kick; it was a brilliant way to win the match.”
The diligent manner in which United’s players worked throughout the Cabinteely triumph augurs well according to Caulfield.
“Overall Cabinteely were strong and dominant at set pieces, but they had no clear chance until the very end,” the United boss reflected.
“We would have felt disappointed if we hadn't won the match with the chances we created. It was a nice way to win, when you go down to 10 men, you have to dig in, and battle hard. That is what we did.
“We are really proud, when the sending off came, we didn't want to go with everyone behind the ball because we felt we could still get opportunities.”
Ultimately United’s approach was rewarded and now Caulfield’s charges, who will be without the suspended Ludden and Kevin Farragher, who is emigrating, face another demanding assignment when Cobh provide the opposition on the banks of the Corrib. Cobh Ramblers, also with five wins, sit three points behind United.
Galway United v Cabinteely: Horgan, Lynch, Brouder, Farragher, Ludden, Christopher, Warde (Nugent 79 ), Duggan, Shane Doherty (Molloy 27 – Ubaezuonu 42 ), Place, Curran (Waweru 79 )
