United face Shels’ tough test away

After the mid-season break, Galway United return to action tomorrow night as they travel to league leaders Shelbourne.

It is a tough test, but one of which they have proved capable. Having been edged out in Tolka Park 1-0 earlier in the season, United beat Damien Duff’s side 1-0 in Eamonn Deacy Park in the return fixture.

Galway travel with a thinned squad after news broke that Wassim Aouachria and Tom Costello have departed the club.

Costello joined after impressing on trial and tasted some action early, but he has not had minutes since March, or beennamed in a matchday squad since early May.

The move of Wassim Aouachria will be tinged with more regret. The powerful Algerian made an immediate impact on arrival last season, helping to propel United to promotion with eight goals in all competitions.

Hopes were high that his power and presence would cause problems in the Premier Division as he had in the FAI Cup run last season. A pre-season injury hampered his start, missing seven early games of the 2024 season. He made only nine appearances from the bench since, totalling 147 minutes of game time.

Nonetheless, the move makes United light up front and places heavy reliance on Stephen Walsh. Karl O’ Sullivan has stepped into the role on occasion and acquitted himself well, while Francely Lomboto has been making an impact off the bench of late. Even so, United will be keen to add reinforcements in this area.

This is particularly the case as a unique opportunity exists for United in the second half of the season. In the first half, they will feel that they have already gathered enough points to complete their primary objective - staying up. The win against Drogheda before the break was particularly crucial in that regard.

In the second half, Galway will seek to have a crack at finishing as high as possible. Some sides which routinely operate in the top half have struggled. Stephen Kenny’s St Pat’s side have been below expectations before and after his arrival. They are three points behind United with three games more played.

After a strong start, Alan Reynolds’ Bohemians have not sustained their velocity, and have lost five of eight games. The Dundalk difficulties are well documented and despite improvement, safety will remain their objective.

All of this means that promoted sides Waterford and Galway United have a chance to stake an unlikely claim for a top-four position. Depending on the FAI Cup outcome, this might even be enough for European football!

This is talk that the staff at United will be quick to dispel, pointing out the scale of the challenge and the scope of accomplishments thus far. However there is no lack of ambition or confidence at the top of the group, and a couple of key additions in the transfer window could make things very interesting.

Tomorrow’s game will serve as a reminder of how difficult this task will be. Yet it is a mouthwatering prospect for United fans to travel to Tolka with a chance of having a say in a dynamic title race, and enhancing their own European credentials. As Ollie Horgan has pointed out many times this season: “It’s mighty to be back in the Premier”.