Galway United’s pre-season preparations continue with another Eamonn Deacy Park friendly scheduled for next Wednesday against Sligo Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park (2pm ).
John Caulfield’s promising team enjoyed an encouraging win over Finn Harps at the Dyke Road venue last Sunday.
Francely Lomboto’s 85th minute goal was the only goal of the game, and Caulfield is delighted with the blend of emerging and established players in his squad.
“I think you can see that - a lot of the young players coming through the local ranks like Francely Lomboto, who scored, Wilson Waweru, obviously Maurice Nugent has come up through the underage, Colin Kelly, and Ronan Manning,” Caulfield says.
“You look at the Horgans, Kevin and Chris, Padraic Cunningham obviously is back. There was a great flavour built in with the experience of Shane Duggan and Conor McCormack, lads who can show their experience, giving help to younger players which is what they are doing.
“You had Mikie Rowe, a young lad we brought in, who is back from the States. He did great. Overall there was lots to be enthused about. We were coming up against Finn Harps, who are more established with a lot of the team they had last year. I thought we acquitted ourselves quite well.”
As the March 26 Corribside SSE Airtricity League first division opener against Shelbourne edges closer, Caulfield is satisfied with United's determined display when Harps visited the west.
“I wouldn't be saying everything was outstanding, but there were lots of positives for us,” Caulfield adds. “I like to look at the positive things that we did, particularly when it is a new group, a new team. In our first match I thought we gelled reasonably well together.
“At the same time it is only a friendly match, we have a lot of work to do. I'd hope by the time we play Sligo, with more done that we will show more improvement in the team.”
Conor O’Keeffe, Shane Doherty, and Ronan Manning missed the Harps' match through injury, but Caulfield hopes they all will see action next week. Liam Buckley’s accomplished Sligo outfit will provide another demanding assignment for a developing United side.
“I thought lots of the things the other day we were very good at, I thought we played well, that we passed very well at times,” Caulfield states.
“We created a few chances, overall it was good. Certainly when we get to the Sligo game next Wednesday we'd hope that with another 10 days' training we'd be more fluent, that we would be able to give a better performance again. It will be a tough match. Sligo are such a good team, they have invested so much too in this season.
"From our own point of view we are looking forward to playing Sligo, testing ourselves to see how much we have improved.”
