Suddenly Galway United matter again and planes, trains, and automobiles will be filled with expectant travellers for next Friday’s defining trip to Belfield. It is always fascinating to watch a sporting tale unfold, but this story has been particularly charming.
At the tail end of August Galway’s prospects were bleak. Off the field difficulties had drained hope from the players, and the uncertainty spread panic. True, Galway did raise a gallop occasionally, but in League football consistency is rewarded. Before that mauling when Cobh Ramblers outfought United there had only been glimpses of western fire. Simply, Galway weren’t efficient. Terryland Park was proving to be a happy hunting ground for opponents, who revelled in performing on the lush surface, and there really were only a couple of Cup triumphs that offered a trace of optimism. Matters can turn briskly.
Shamrock Rovers came west at the start of September and the revival commenced. Galway should have taken the full complement, they had to settle for a division of the spoils, but thereafter there was an acknowledgement and a belated belief that survival was possible.
And when the most severe questions were posed Galway torched Finn Harps. While the Donegal outfit were a grave disappointment considering the implications of the contest, Galway’s utter supremacy was mildly surprising.
Three goal successes aren’t supposed to occur on such consequential evenings. When John Lester iced the cake Galwegian thoughts were drifting towards their date in Dublin 4. And like so frequently occurs in football the last 90 minutes of the campaign will be all about remaining unruffled despite the duress.
Galway managed that tricky task admirably when hammering Harps. Even before Marc McCulloch’s blistering 47th minute opener the evidence had revealed that United were both sprightly and spirited.
Lester was chalking up the tackles as if paid by commission, while Jonathan Keane, Alan Murphy, and Ciaran Foley were putting in good midfield shifts too. Traditionally Harps are forceful in the centre of the park, but Lester seized the initiative rattling the visitors early and often taking the initial battle. Ultimately the war was won comfortably too.
In the contemporary era debate always accompanies sport and the issue of Galway’s rejuvenation continues to be dissected. Reinvented, revitalised, and relentless the comeback has been laced with clever football.
Embracing the responsibility afforded to them by Jeff Kenna’s shrewd system that permits Jay O’Shea to be relevant. O’Shea paraded his skill throughout with the assist for Murphy’s honeyed 53rd minute strike demonstrating the value of patience.
O’Shea, ice cool in the area, bided his time before slipping the ball into Murphy, who capped the move with a similarly tidy finish. With John Russell unable to start Murphy used his experience wisely too and enjoyed a high productivity rate long before the goal brought applause from an audience that was gripped.
When the scares happened Gary Rogers, Alan Keane, and John Fitzgerald carried out their duties attentively ensuring a goalkeeper and centre halves craving for a clean sheet was satisfied. Contentment swept around the Dyke Road at 9.30 as referee Ian Stokes final whistle concluded the latest home triumph. In a similar vein to 2007, once Galway mastered affairs on local turf the victories kept coming. Still another away success is necessary to preserve top flight status, but Galway journey to the pale encouraged with the cut of a promising team.
