Galway United travel to Drogheda with their Premier Division status secured for another season.
They won that right on the pitch last week with a 0-0 draw against St Pat’s, backing up a famous win at home to Shamrock Rovers the week previously.
The disappointment that followed the FAI Cup semi-final defeat shows that there is a constituency among the fanbase that yearn for more. However, the achievement of securing a fourth consecutive season in the top flight should not be taken for granted.
This was a fiercely competitive league with teams from fourth to ninth clustered in a tight group. United sit sixth going into the last round of games. It would have been hard to envisage them any higher at the start of the season with the level of investment in the Dublin clubs and Derry.
Most impressively, John Caulfield contended admirably with a huge squad turnover at the start of the season. They performed well in recruitment and then had further difficulties to surmount. The likes of Evan Watts and Arthur Parker shone in the first half of the season but needed to be replaced in the mid-season window.
Anthony O’Connor was an important addition in July, but United largely got over the line thanks to their pre-season business and some old reliables. Despite increased competition in attack, Stephen Walsh led the line with grit, determination and flashes of class. Kris Twardek added some real quality and his goals and assists, particularly in the first half of the season, were key.
Aaron Bolger excelled in midfield, alongside David Hurley. United had strength in depth at the back, with Gianfranco Facchineri impressing throughout. The performances of Hugo da Cunha in goals were admirable and critical down the stretch.
However, it was a genuine squad effort, emphasised by players willingness and eagerness to be deployed at different times and different roles. Jimmy Keohane, Ed McCarthy and Lee Devitt emphasised these qualities with their strength, work rate and professionalism with no lack of quality.
Tomorrow night’s opponents, Drogheda United, would need a big swing in goal difference to avoid a playoff with Bray or UCD. After a long season, United have a rare free hit and might see a temptation in giving the likes of James Morahan and Junior Thiam some minutes.
There will be little let up. Preparations for the new season will already be well underway. The level of competition is only intensifying.
The league was buoyed by a three-horse title race that almost went to the wire. Derry and Shels will want more from 2027. Both are already showing positive signs of resurgence. Waterford were arguably the story of the season after the summer. Cork are due a proper tilt at the top flight after a run of bouncing between the divisions.
It is one of the longer off-seasons in football, but there will be plenty of activity behind the scenes. The conversations about club infrastructure can not be ignored but defy simple or quick solutions. Keeping a team competitive at the top level of domestic football is a key component of the equation.
Looking forward to another such season will shorten the winter in Galway
Supporters' bus
A supporters' bus to Friday's Premier Division match in Drogheda will depart from McGinns, Woodquay at 3pm, picking up along the route. Seats can be booked by contacting Kian Kenny at (087 ) 9404349 or Ronan Coleman at (087 ) 6972823.
