Galway WFC manager Billy Clery hopes his promising team can launch a title challenge by overcoming Cork City in Saturday's WNL opener at Eamonn Deacy Park (4pm kick off ).
Adamant about the significant potential that exists in the west, Clery believes Galway can continue to make progress this year.
An impressive pre-season culminated in a commanding 6-0 success over Treaty United last weekend with Rachel Kearns (2 ), Elle O'Flaherty (2 ), Lynsey McKey, and Kaya Pottinger all scoring.
"It has been encouraging, we've had some encouraging results," Clery says. "It was good to finish off with a comprehensive victory, but there is a lot of room for improvement. The play wasn't at the level we want the girls to be playing at, but we are getting there slowly, but surely."
Now Clery wants Galway WFC to make a serious bid for silverware in 2021.
"That is the goal," Clery responds. "I've said it before recently that there is no reason why we couldn't win this league this year. If we can get off to a positive start, try to gather that belief in the group. On our day we can beat any opposition."
A recent friendly success over Shelbourne was followed by a narrow loss to champions Peamount last week.
"We played Peamount the last day, and we were missing five players, but were still more than competitive with them," Clery adds.
"Before that we played Shelbourne - getting a positive result. On our day we can beat any team, it is just about getting that first scalp against one of the big teams. When that happens you get a renewed sense of belief and the possibilities are endless after that. I firmly believe that we can win the league. Even though we had a fifth placed finish last year I think that it is within our capabilities."
With a mix of emerging and established players Clery is confident Galway can enjoy a productive campaign.
"There is a bit of experience - we have new goalkeepers in Maja Zajc and Trish Fennelly Hunt which adds a bit," Clery says. "Obviously then we have Savannah McCarthy, Chloe Moloney, Shauna Fox, Keara Cormican, and Ruth Fahy so you have a good blend then with the young girls coming through.
"We are excited about the season ahead. It will be interesting to see how it all knits together."
Progress is being made, but Clery wants his squad to flourish on the national stage.
"I think over the last few years we have come from a standing start," Clery says. "There were a lot of heavy defeats in the early years of the club, but now all of a sudden we are competitive in every single game against the top teams, losing by the odd goal.
"It is just a matter of getting over the line in the first game. I think that could be the catalyst to push us on, to make us have that belief to go to win a league and be title contenders."
