There is no time for Galway United Women to dwell on their first defeat in 2024 as they travel to Tolka Park for a top-of-the-table clash against Shelbourne on Saturday (Kick-off 2pm ).
Shels have been perfect over their last five league games and should provide the biggest test for United thus far this season. The Galway girls will travel with belief, remembering a famous 2-1-win last season that they saw out with only ten players.
Their confidence should not have taken too heavy a hit from the result last weekend either. Overall, United edged a physical encounter against an abrasive Wexford side but had nothing to show for their efforts at full-time.
The first half was attritional. United were on top but struggled to create clearcut chances, perhaps missing the creativity of Julie-Ann Russell.
The flow of the game was often disturbed and referee Ryan Maher struggled to keep a handle on the game as some robust challenges went unchecked, much to the ire of the home bench.
Wexford grew into the contest in the second half but United were on course to grab three points when the division’s top scorer, Jenna Slattery, scored with a clever free-kick in the 79th minute. They then conspired to give two goals away in the last ten minutes, both uncharacteristically soft for the team that had conceded the fewest in the league.
The defence gave the ball away cheaply and were instantly punished by Ceola Bergin. Ellen Molloy was then bundled over in the box for a penalty in the 89th minute. Aoibheann Clancy handed the visitors the win with a well-struck penalty.
Phil Trill is process-driven and will have faith in his side’s ability to respond. It remains to be seen if Kate Thompson and Julie-Ann Russell, absent from the midfield and attack last Saturday, will feature. Both would be welcome additions to the matchday squad.
This is particularly the case when some of the quality in the Shels ranks is considered. Jess Gargan was a title winner with Shels and has returned after starring for Shamrock Rovers last season. Captain Pearl Slattery leads from the back in her 10th season for the Drumcondra side. She has even chipped in with three goals in this campaign. Noelle Murray has vast experience too and is herself in goalscoring form.
There is much excitement about the potential of the Galway team in the city and county. The game on Saturday will tell a lot about where they are and whether they are far enough along in their development to challenge for the highest honours. It is hard to argue that they are not on the right path.
Win, lose or draw they have done enough to deserve a better backing than what they had in Eamonn Deacy Park last Saturday, when only 210 supporters turned up for the table toppers.
On the back of a herculean effort to turn out a record-breaking crowd for the previous game, the cavernous atmosphere was a stark reminder of the distance to be travelled to provide parity of esteem in the game.
