A season defining FAI Cup semi-final is on the agenda for Galway WFC, who face Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Saturday (2pm ).
Stephen Lally’s evolving team, who defeated Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park at the weekend, will be hoping to cause an upset in the capital.
Thirty years ago Lally won an FAI Cup as a player with Galway United, who were managed by Joey Malone. Ironically Shamrock Rovers’ boss that day, Noel King, is currently in charge of Shels with Malone part of his coaching staff.
“It brings back great memories, great times,” Lally says. “Believe it or not I mentioned that up in training one day to our girls, it reminds me of back then.
“We were in the same situation ourselves in the league, we were safe, we were not going to get relegated. We were just planning every week, we were looking forward to the cup run, trying to get a good performance. We always had one eye on the cup game back then, it is the same now.
“Funny enough we played Shelbourne back in that cup run, here we are now with Joey and Noel involved – amazing.”
Lally was hugely encouraged with Galway’s gritty display when beating Wexford courtesy of a goal from teenager Aoibheann Costello.
“We were absolutely delighted, we put in a fantastic performance,” Lally says. “To go down there, to win 1-0 it was tremendous, a great boost for us, for everyone.
“We said it earlier on when we were getting together, we were taking it game by game, when we were setting our stall out about what we were trying to do.
“The players bought into it, we have tried to stop conceding goals, we have worked on that. We are more organised, we are closing down teams a lot quicker now. It has been really good.”
