While Galway United's recent form has wavered slightly, there is no disguising that an adequate start has been made to the League of Ireland season.
With only Cork City left to play in the second series of fixtures, manager Ian Foster is reasonably content with how his young team is evolving. Last Saturday evening at Tallaght Stadium captured much of what Galway have been about this term, pressing high up the pitch and eager to retain the ball when possession has been garnered.
Still Shamrock Rovers were able to eke out a 1 - 0 victory as Galway’s pretty football was not rewarded. An away success against Drogheda United aside, Galway have deserved to win all the four other encounters in which they have emerged victorious. There is little doubt that when Galway are in the groove they have the ability to claim triumphs.
Undoubtedly the seven points from nine in March aided Galway's cause, and Foster's pragmatic approach certainly bothered St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk early on. The stylish manner in which Galway passed and probed at Inchicore suggested that when Foster has a full deck from which to choose his team can compete with any outfit around.
As the campaign has evolved, though, Foster's options have been restricted by injuries. John Russell, Derek O'Brien, Sean Kelly, Shane Fitzgerald, and Alan Murphy were all unavailable for the Hoops’ fixture on Saturday, and Galway did lack depth.
Indeed Kelly's stabilising influence in the centre of the park has been missed since suffering a knee injury when Pat's were outfoxed for a second time on May 1. Kelly's ability to make tackles combined with a solid passing range made him a key component in the set up that earned Galway points and plaudits, but in the intervening half dozen top flight matches Galway have won only once.
And while Kelly is nearing full fitness the former Arsenal trainee will miss the Cork clash on Friday week due to the terms of his loan arrangement, and Foster acknowledged that United have encountered some turbulence due to the lengthy list of absentees. "In the second series of nine game we have suffered badly with injuries and suspensions and they have hurt us. In a squad of 21 players when you have got so many experienced players missing it will always be hard. But we battled well against Rovers and gave them a very good game.
"It's getting tight at the bottom of the league now but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves and focus on Cork City. It'll be difficult against them no matter who they put out. We'll need to be at it to get anything out of the game."
Galway’s players have been given targets for every round, and were a home triumph posted when Cork come to town, it would be met again. Regardless of that result Foster has ample reason to be satisfied with his players’ endeavour thus far, but the competitor within him will be aware that the next three matches carry deep importance.
