Galway United Women's FC delivered a spirited performance away to the SSE Airtricity Premier Division table-toppers Peamount United on Saturday in Newcastle but ultimately came up short, losing 2-0.
Having started well, United were undone by with a costly concession to Sadhbh Doyle just before half-time. The same player scored again in the 57th minute to seal the points for the home team.
Nevertheless, United manager Phil Trill took plenty of encouragement from the performance. "I don't feel there was much between the two sides. We had a chance cleared off the line quite early on. That would have set us in a different stead for the game.
"Between 15 and 30 minutes we controlled the game and created the better chances. They scored a goal that was marginally offside just before half-time. That was obviously a blow to take.
"Defensively we just had a poor day in one or two instances and that is okay. It is completely understandable with how young we are. When we went 2-0 down we created more chances. We hit the bar. I take a lot of positives from the game. With minor tweaks it could have been a different game and a different result, " he said.
Trill has been consistently upbeat throughout this season. The squad remained positive despite a difficult start and went on a scintillating run, and confidence does not seem to have taken an undue hit as they embark upon another massive challenge, travelling to Tallaght to take on an unbeaten Shamrock Rovers.
"The last time we played Shamrock Rovers, we should have beaten them. They are a big team, but so is Galway United. We have so much ability, we just need to consistently deliver performances.
"At the half-way point of the season I think we have proved a lot of people wrong in terms of where we are. When you reflect on the first half of the season, there are definitely areas where we could have played better, but I am really happy with the group."
Nevertheless, a big challenge lies ahead against a team with title aspirations. It is a task complicated by the strain that exam season places on such a young squad.
"It is well know that we have the second youngest squad in the league. That will affect us in May and June regarding Leaving Cert examinations. We even have someone doing the Junior Cert," he says.
However, he has has "full faith" in the squad.
"We are very much about being a team, about being United. Regardless of what 16 play, I'll have full confidence in anyone representing Galway United. Everyone feels part of it."
