When Galway United and Sligo Rovers collide there usually isn’t any shortage of interest, and with both clubs emboldened by victories last weekend Terryland Park will provide an ideal backdrop tomorrow evening.
Groundsman Noel Connolly has the Dyke Road surface in pristine condition, and with managers Ian Foster and Paul Cook favouring a passing approach this promises to be a decent footballing contest.
Sligo, stuffed with new additions including former Galway midfielder Michael McGrath, outfoxed St Patrick’s Athletic in the Showgrounds last Sunday to record their first League triumph in seven attempts, but Cook’s team still possesses quality, and they will be keen to replicate such urgency on the banks of the Corrib.
Galway contributed to a highly satisfactory Carlisle Grounds encounter as Jay O’Shea’s thrilling intervention ensured the Tribesmen’s dash was rewarded. Bray Wanderers deserve to be commended for their style too, but Galway departed from the seaside town loaded with optimism.
Barry Ryan was safe and solid between the sticks, Gary Breen and Shane Guthrie were commanding at the back, and with Vinny Faherty working diligently, O’Shea was allowed to provide the strokes of class.
John Russell’s polished performance guided Galway to a smashing success. Russell’s promptings from the centre of the park were thoughtful, and the assist for O’Shea’s knock out blow was a flash of skill worthy of winning any contest.
Unsurprisingly Foster was encouraged. “We have moved above St Pat’s, all you can do is look after yourself, and I was delighted to get three points. We played well last time we were there, but gave away two soft penalties in the last couple of minutes, and we were actually lucky to get a point with a penalty save, but to get all three points is great.
“I tried to win it and I am sure Eddie (Gormley ) did as well. To be honest I thought the game was a great advert for the League, two very, very young sides that tried to play the right way, who tried to get the ball forward along the ground, and Eddie will be disappointed that he didn’t get anything out of the game, but I am obviously delighted that we snatched it at the end. I must give credit to John Russell because his run and pass was fantastic, and Jay finished it off nicely.”
O’Shea continues to be monitored by a raft of cross-channel clubs, and the Bray match may have been his last contribution to the Galway cause. Foster is adamant that the Republic of Ireland under-21 international can prosper across the water. “If it is his last touch it couldn’t have been a more important one. You have to beat the teams around you when you are in a position like we are, and we’ve beaten St Patrick’s and Bray in this round of games, we had a slip-up against Dundalk, but if that is Jay O’Shea’s last involvement for Galway I have to thank him for giving us three points.
“It is good for Galway United, it is good for myself, it is good for Jay O’Shea, and it is good for Irish football if he goes. If young players can develop in Irish football and get moves to League One, the Championship, or even higher that is fantastic for the division. As long as the move is right for Galway United and Jay O’Shea I have no problem with it.
“The biggest credit you can give him is that he is technically fantastic. If you are going to play at a high level in England you have got to be able to look after the ball, and Jay can do. Not only can he look after the ball, he can make things happen, he has got end product. He is always exciting, he is one of these players that gets you on the edge of your seat, and there aren’t many of them about, to be honest. He is the right age, he has got the right temperament, and hopefully he will go to the right club and develop again and become a very good player.”
Mervue United
At the outset of the season Mervue United manager Johnny Glynn stressed that there would be difficult spells during the campaign which would examine his team’s character.
Six League losses on the spin with only two goals scored and 22 conceded is undoubtedly testing Mervue, but there was a marked improvement in last Friday’s display at the Belfield Bowl.
Ultimately UCD did beat Mervue, but the Galway outfit were competitive, and they will hope to be again on Saturday when another of the promotion aspirants, Waterford United, come to Terryland Park.
Stephen Henderson has constructed a pacy team, and Waterford have accumulated 13 points from their past four matches. Avoiding another defeat is Mervue’s task, and there is no doubt that it will be a tricky assignment.
