Galway WFC U19 manager Phil Trill is delighted that a promising collection of players has reached a national cup final.
Sunday's impressive 4-0 triumph over Shelbourne at the AUL complex was achieved following goals from Abbie Callanan (2 ), Emma O'Donoghue, and Aoibhinn Donnelly.
Trill's charges are also in contention for the league title, but striking the correct balance between winning and developing footballers is critical.
"We always look at competitive player development, winning is a by product of development in our eyes, doing the right things," Trill says.
"Getting the small habits right every day, we should only be competing against ourselves. If we compete against a fixed opponent, you might win on the day, but your end target is limited.
"There is a ceiling on it. If you compete against an opponent you win or you lose, if you are in the mindset of constantly competing against yourself you should win more often than not.
"You should constantly progress and develop yourself, that is what our girls have bought into and it is what we believe. If we can be one per cent better each day then the possibilities are endless for our girls. We constantly focus on ourselves."
Galway WFC delivered a dynamic display which pleased Trill in the capital to set up a decider against DLR Waves next month.
"The girls were fantastic on the day, we got off to a great start with Abbie Callanan scoring early," he says.
"Probably for the next 20 minutes we were all over Shelbourne, their keeper brought off some great saves to be fair to her. Then Emma O'Donoghue popped up with her first goal for the club, she scored in the tournament in Portugal, the Lisbon Cup in 2019 so we're absolutely delighted for her.
"Last year she was ruled out with an ACL injury, everyone in the club is delighted for her. Aoibhinn Donnelly, who has been in fantastic form for us, came up with another goal. It was a really nice day, we could not have asked for anything more from the girls."
Trill, also in charge of Galway WFC U17s, is satisfied with how the campaign is unfolding.
"The U19s with it being the inaugural year it has been quite messy at times with girls going to college, work, obviously Covid and then you have girls featuring in the senior team the day before," Trill says.
"We cannot pick our starting XI until a Saturday night before a Sunday game as we have to see who featured in the senior games without injuries.
"More often than not it is good issues like some of U19s featuring in the senior team, that is a good issue because they are getting exposed to senior level."
