Galway WFC manager Billy Clery is delighted that pre-season friendlies are arriving ‘thick and fast’ for his promising team.
Last Saturday two goals from Mayo footballer Rachel Kearns and one from Aoife Thompson ensured Galway defeated Athlone Town at Maree/Oranmore’s all-weather facility. Yesterday evening Galway WFC travelled to Athlone for an away fixture which ended in a 4-4 draw.
Teenager Kate Slevin scored twice, while Chloe Singleton and Elle O'Flaherty also rattled the Athlone net. Galway will be back in the midlands this Saturday for another contest with Shelbourne at Bealnamulla.
“Shelbourne, in the last few seasons, have been one of the top teams in the country,” Clery says. “Every pre-season we always try to play the top teams in the league in our friendlies to see exactly where we are at, to challenge ourselves.
“On St Patrick's Day we play Peamount at Eamonn Deacy Park too, the friendly games are coming thick and fast.”
Encouraged by the addition of some talented performers, Clery is thrilled Rachel Kearns will be available for Galway.
“We had Rachel in a few years ago, she played for us against Shelbourne in one of the games,” Clery says. “Unfortunately after four or five minutes she suffered an injury which knocked her back for five or six weeks. That brought an end to it then, but the last day in the first half she showed she definitely is going to be an asset to the team.
“She offers a real threat going forward. The last day our front three with Elle O'Flaherty, Aoife Thompson, and Rachel they were a real threat in the game.
“It was great from an attacking perspective overall, but there is a lot of room for improvement, and it is something we will be working on.”
The WNL opener Corribside when Cork City visit the west remains uppermost in Clery’s thoughts. “It was great to get our first run out of the pre-season on Saturday against Athlone, who are a decent side,” Clery says.
“Athlone have young and enthusiastic players. We gave everybody some game and the introduction of some new players into the group, who did well on the day. Overall it was a great exercise. We are looking forward to getting more games under our belt before we kick off on March 26.”
