Galway WFC travel to the Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon to take on Sligo Rovers in the Women’s National League (Kick-off 2pm ).
Galway are seeking to do the treble over their Connacht counterparts, having triumphed 2-1 in Sligo in May and 5-2 at home more recently.
It is unlikely, however, that the Tribeswomen will underestimate the challenge at hand. Although they sit eighth in the table, Sligo have managed to beat both the top two of Shelbourne and Wexford Youths at home, a feat unrivalled by any other team in the division.
But this weekend Sligo will be keen to stop the rot of three league defeats on the spin and will seek to harness their home support for another big win in the Showgrounds.
However, Alan Murphy’s side wants to finish with a flourish. Since last beating Sligo at home in late July, they have endured a difficult spell, losing to Shels, Wexford and Peamount all by the odd goal. A 6-0 hammering of lowly Treaty United has been the only solace during this period.
After facing off with the league’s best, their next four games are against side’s sitting lower than them in the league. While they will undoubtedly have all their attention on a big game in Sligo, the upcoming fixtures offer the Galway women an opportunity to recapture their impressive early season form, solidify fifth place, and perhaps even test the resolve of Peamount and Athlone Town that are ahead of them in the table.
They will need to rely on their leaders in this task, and fortunately they are not lacking in this regard. Galway will look to player of the month for August Lynsey McKey, vastly experienced captain Julie-Ann Russell, and imposing defender Shauna Brennan to lead the young talent in the squad, while supporters will hope a strong finish provides a platform for further progression of this developing squad.
