These are encouraging times for Alan Murphy’s promising Galway WFC outfit, who have embarked on an eight match unbeaten WNL run.
On Saturday at Fahy’s Field Galway WFC drew 0-0 against Athlone Town with Murphy satisfied with how his team performed.
Despite the strong breeze Galway WFC, prompted by the splendid Julie-Ann Russell, fashioned a string of opportunities in the second period. “We had a number of chances," Murphy says. "In the first half we had a few.
“We just didn't put them away, but it was a really good performance. It was a different type of a performance in really difficult conditions. The girls worked really hard, they battled well against an Athlone team that battled too. It was just that - a bit of a battle.
“There wasn't an awful lot of football played, but I think we probably shaded it in terms of chances created.”
Overall how would Murphy assess Galway WFC’s season so far? “Obviously I'm only starting off in women's football so it is going to take a little while to get used to it all,” he replies.
“I think we have hit the ground running pretty OK, we had teething at the start when we were trying to find a team, trying to get the players to blend with each other.
“The last section has been pretty good and pretty positive. We have lost three games, we have learned a lot. I think we have six clean sheets which is also good. We have positives, I won't say negatives, but learnings to take from it.”
The fact that emerging players such as Kate Thompson and Aoibhinn Costello are performing to a high level offers further cause for optimism.
“It does,” Murphy replies. “In terms of the average age of the team we have a really young side. You don't get that level of consistency that quickly.
“We are unbeaten in a good chunk of games, we go into the break with that. We will hopefully get a rest and the players will get to recover to hit the ground running in two weeks' time when we are back in.
“You can just see with the likes of Kate, who has come in and has been in the team ever since. She was just waiting for that chance. There are a few in the background just waiting for a chance.
“The dreaded line where we are the victim of our own success - if you want to call it that - in terms of not losing games, the team stays the same, players don't get the chances they may deserve or may need or want.”
It has been a busy spell for Galway WFC, but Murphy is relishing the journey with the mixture of youthful and experienced performers. “It is a nice blend, but it is only a start,” he says. “We have received good backing from people associated with the club. We all want to wish Alex Lee and Katie Codyre, who got married at the weekend, our best wishes for the future. They have both made a real contribution to sport in Galway.”
Murphy is eager that Galway WFC continue to make an impact in a highly competitive environment. “The management group and the players, I think we have gelled really well,” he says. “We are trying to push on, but there are a lot of good teams in that division that are pushing on too. So it is pretty tight.
“We are not saying we have a lot done. We have the first phase of games over and we have acquitted ourselves pretty well. Yes, we did get a few unfortunate results, the evidence of learning is there.”
That means Galway WFC will embrace upcoming challenges, when the league resumes in July, with equal measures of hope and expectation.
**Listen to the full interview with Galway WFC manager Alan Murphy on this week’s ‘Cian on Sport’ podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
