These are encouraging times for Galway United defender Maurice Nugent. The Clare native continues to impress for John Caulfield’s improving outfit, who drew with Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday.
A fifth SSE Airtricity League first division clean sheet in a row was registered by United goalkeeper Conor Kearns with Nugent a key figure throughout the encouraging run.
“I'm loving it, the club is definitely going in the right direction,” Nugent says, before stressing the value of Caulfield’s experience.
“Bringing John in, he has a really good organisation around the club. The way it is run now you would struggle to find a better set-up in the country. We are loving it, being in full time it is a dream for us.
“From where I have come from, the days training in different spots, under generator lights and stuff, it has come a long way. I'm delighted to be part of it and I hope to stay part of it, to keep going.”
A six match unbeaten sequence following the return to action last month ensures United are gaining belief and confidence. “Since the break we have come back really fresh, training the tempo has been going really well,” Nugent adds.
“I think we look really solid. The three boys in midfield work so hard, they cover so much ground in front of us, we don't have that much defending to do. So we are delighted, we look really solid, five in a row with no goals conceded, we will try to keep that run going.”
An interesting encounter against Bray unfolded by the Seaside with United unfortunate not to claim the full complement of spoils. Padraic Cunningham appeared to be fouled midway through the second half as United had a significant penalty claim turned down.
“I thought we looked solid, it was a scrappy enough game, but we had a lot of chances,” Nugent reflects.
“The foul on Podge I thought was a stonewall penalty, I know he got booked for diving, but it looked like a stonewall to me.
“We had a couple of other chances in the first, their 'keeper Brian Maher pulled off some save there at the very end, Ruairi [Keating] had a shot from outside the box, it took a deflection, I don't know how he saved it, some reaction save.”
Former NUI Galway student Nugent had an option to move to the United Kingdom at the end of last year, but the opportunity to play full-time with United kept him in Ireland.
“I had a degree and I picked up a graduate job with a crowd in England,” Nugent says. “John convinced me to stay with the set-up he had lined up, the way he was talking about it.
“For me to have done four or five years with Galway and then to miss out on this I would have regretted it for the rest of my life. It was a no brainer for me really to be involved, to see how it goes. I'm delighted it is going well, we have picked up since the break.”
Possibilities exist for a developing United outfit. “There is massive potential, it is about time we unlocked that,” Nugent responds.
“Hopefully we can go on to achieve things this year, to keep our heads down, keep taking it game by game. I'm delighted to be involved, hopefully we can keep going.”
