Demanding pre-season matches are arriving thick and fast for Galway United, who host Bohemians at Eamonn Deacy Park tomorrow (7.45pm ).
On Saturday in brutal weather conditions Shamrock Rovers defeated United 3-0 at Mervue United with Danny Mandroiu (2 ) and Dylan Watts scoring for the Hoops. Mikie Rowe went close on a couple of occasions for United, but John Caulfield was satisfied with the display.
“It was great, I was delighted we had Shamrock Rovers coming to Galway, I think it was good for our supporters to see Jack Byrne and Rory Gaffney, all of these lads in the flesh,” Caulfield says.
“So it was a fantastic workout for us, but obviously, as everyone knows, Saturday was a very wet day. We had to move the game to the Mervue all weather pitch and we would like to thank Declan McDonnell for all of his help over the few days in helping the club out, also Robert Connolly.
“We sincerely would like to thank Mervue for that, it was a great workout, it was great for the lads. It was a strong performance by us, but Rovers showed why they have been the champions for the last two years in Ireland with their clinical finishing.”
Now United face Keith Long’s Bohs outfit in what promises to be a similarly demanding encounter.
“A brilliant team, another game in EDP, a great occasion for our supporters to turn up on a Friday night to see the team,” Caulfield adds.
“It is the end of our fourth week, we will be two weeks away from the start of the season after that. Again these are great games for us, we are having to work really hard, you can see the quality of the teams.
“At the same time in a number of pre-season games we have played really well at times too. It is a good learning, it is good for fitness, and we are really looking forward to the game.”
Ultimately, Caulfield wants United to be primed for the February 25 SSE Airtricity League first division clash against Cork City at Turners Cross. “That is the most important thing,” Caulfield replies.
“Whatever happens in pre-season, whether you win, lose or draw it has little bearing on the league. The most important thing is to get yourself ready for the start of the season, we know how difficult the season is going to be. We are going up against probably the favourites in the first two games in Cork and Waterford - both massive clubs.
“We know we have a lot of work to do, but at the same time we are pleased with a lot of the work that has gone on. A lot of the new players have settled in, but we have plenty of more work to do.”
**Listen to the full interview with Galway United manager John Caulfield on this week's 'Cian on Sport' podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
