Galway WFC entertain DLR Waves on Saturday in Eamon Deacy Park (Kick-off 2pm ) in what will be their first home game in five weeks.
With four league games remaining, Galway will be seeking to solidify the fifth position they currently occupy in the Women’s National League table. Their upcoming games against DLR Waves and Bohemians who lie in 7th and 6th respectively will have a big bearing on that ambition.
Manager Alan Murphy confirms this ambition, saying that DLR Waves are a “bit of a benchmark” by which his squad can gauge their progress. “They have been ahead of Galway over the last few years. We’d like to keep them behind us this year for the progression of the team. We won’t be taking this game lightly. Statistically and performance wise they’re probably very much on a par with us so it will be a tough game.”
Galway WFC will be bolstered by the return of prominent duo Chloe Singleton and Therese Kinnevey. Preparations have been somewhat thwarted with four Galway girls having been involved in the Ireland Under-19 squad. Julie-Ann Russell and Shauna Brennan were also in action for the international home-based senior team last night.
That six Galway WFC players tasted international action in the past week is a testament to the talent in a squad Murphy is keen to keep together. While the priority on Saturday for Murphy is to win the game, it is encouraging to hear that an eye remains on the future despite the well-documented difficulties off the field. “We need to have a look at a few things with next year in mind. We will try to introduce one or two [players] and give them a chance to make a claim to be getting in the team next season.
"Whatever the scenario may be at the end of the season, I’d like to see this group of players staying together so that they can progress.
“I think it is pretty clear that they have made a lot of strides this season and that they’re a good group. You only have to look at the stats, the amount of points we have accumulated and the 11-game unbeaten run in the middle of the season.” After disappointment last time out in Cork, the Tribeswomen will be especially eager to bounce back and build on their earlier successes on Saturday afternoon.
A new dawn for Galway Women’s Football
The uncertainty permeating women’s football in Galway was brought to an end last Wednesday when Galway United issued a welcome statement confirming that they would be entering senior, U-19 and U-17 women’s teams in national competitions in 2023.The period between the statement issued by Galway WFC on September 11th and Galway United’s statement on October 5th had been an anxious one for all stakeholders.
Galway United FC director Jonathan Corbett explained that this time had been necessary for United to ‘Speak to all the key people involved, to meet as many people as we could before putting it out there.’
Corbett was keen to emphasise the role of sponsors the Comer Group in facilitating the addition of three teams to the United roster. Accepting that the move was contingent on the support of United’s long-term backers, Corbett added: ‘We didn’t even have to ask. When the [initial] news broke, Luke Comer was straight on the phone to me and told me that we had their full backing.’While the move is undoubtedly a positive one, there is a recognition within the club that additional talents and resources will be needed off the field to deliver success on the field.
"We have had very positive feedback from the people we spoke to but we still need people to get involved particularly from the business aspect.
"It is evident that United is keen to attract the best female administrators, business people and coaches to enable the best female talent in the west to achieve their potential. With the United board, co-operative society, sponsors and volunteers much of the infrastructure exists.
"The challenge now is to build on the successes of their Galway WFC predecessors and bring Galway women’s soccer to the next level. Meanwhile, on the field Galway WFC travel to Bohemians on Saturday at 6pm. Undoubtedly buoyed by these positive developments, they will hope to improve on recent results as they eye up an exciting new chapter." he said.
