Tommy Dunne's rapidly improving Galway outfit travel to United Park tomorrow for another vital SSE Airtricity League premier division clash with Drogheda United.
Last weekend was eventful and productive for the Tribesmen, defeating Bohemians in a thrilling league contest by 5-3 on Friday and then overcoming the Gypsies 1-0 after extra-time in the EA Sports Cup on Monday.
Those two Eamonn Deacy Park triumphs delighted Dunne, who is encouraged by the progress his young squad is making.
“We are into the semi-finals now, so we are obviously delighted,” he said, following the EA Sport's Cup triumph, which was secured courtesy of a Jake Keegan goal. “On the back of a great result on Friday for us, we knew Bohs were going to have a good go, which they did.
“It was a completely different type of match. It probably didn’t have the type of excitement, thrills and spills of Friday, but for us it was a pleasing win and a pleasing result. We showed well in different aspects of the game.
“It is good that we are into the semi-final. It will be a big game wherever it is on. We will look forward to it when it comes around, but we have got to focus ourselves on Friday. If we can get something in Drogheda, it will be a good week.”
Dunne highlighted the contribution of the versatile New York native Keegan, who has performed well both out wide and also as a central attacker.
“Jake had a couple of chances. Padraig did well to set one up for him just before he scored. We looked a bit of a threat again and his header was from a great cross. I was delighted for him, and it shows when he goes up top he can score goals there as well as from wide areas.
"From then on we were comfortable enough. They were unfortunate they had made all their substitutions and then picked up an injury, but it gave us a chance as we weren’t under as much pressure as we might have been.
“I think on the night we were good. Over the course of the game we had more chances and more possession. I think it was a well deserved result.”
Ravaged by several injuries to key players throughout the campaign, Dunne is happy Jason Molloy is available again.
“Jason is a technical player as we know. We just need to get him back to fitness and up to the running power required in the premier division. If we can get him up to that, we will be delighted. We need players back.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries in recent weeks. Alex [Byrne] is back, Jason is back, Marc Ludden should be available on Friday. Kevin Garcia got a bang on the knee, but it is only a bang, so we are hoping he will recover for Friday. We’ve asked a lot of certain bodies in that group. We’ve just got to try to get ourselves focused and refuelled and ready for Friday.
“Enda Curran is 50-50 at the moment. He has a hamstring injury, and we are not sure whether he will make Friday’s game. As I’ve said it is a hugely important match. It wasn’t ideal that the Bohemians match went to extra-time, but we won’t use that as an excuse going to Drogheda.”
Having posted three wins on the spin in the league and EA Sports Cup, Dunne wants Galway's efficient streak to continue. “We will get ready to try to get something in Drogheda. We are delighted with our form. We were slow to start being truthful, we didn’t pick up enough points. It is going to be a dogfight, we know that, it will be until the end of the season. Every match is crucial.”
*Galway United Supporters Trust is running a bus to Friday's Airtricity League premier division match at United Park, leaving The Dail Bar, Cross Street, Galway. For further details, contact Dominick Walsh (087 ) 9163438 or Ronan Coleman (087 ) 6972823.
