ncouraged by a "reasonably good start" to the SSE Airtricity League premier division, Tommy Dunne's improving Galway United outfit face a demanding assignment away to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium tomorrow (8pm ).
On Saturday Vinny Faherty's opportunistic late goal against Bohemians ensured United claimed a third league win in five matches, but manager Dunne is not getting carried away.
“We have to look at it as a reasonably good start,” Dunne admits. “We have to just keep going, keep working hard to see where that takes us. We aren’t silly in our thoughts to think that we are good enough to be dismissing other teams. We cannot afford to do that.
“I look at the league table, the team that has only one point [Wexford Youths] have been a match for any team in the division regarding being competitive in games. That is how tight it is. For us it is a good start, but it is nothing more than that.”
In the 2015 campaign Bohemians earned points and plaudits as the surprise packets, but Dunne insists United cannot be classed in a similar category just yet.
“We have 10 points from a possible 15, but we are probably a little bit disappointed with that return,” Dunne says. “To be truthful it is only a start. I have to be honest, on the Soccer Republic show on Monday night they were talking about can we do what Bohs did last year? I think it is a bit early to be talking like that.”
The spirited manner in which United eked out a 1-0 victory over the Gypsies delighted Dunne, who is enthused by the resilience his squad demonstrated.
“We feel that last year we probably made a mistake. We want to play in the right way, the guys want to play, I want them to play, but conditions sometimes dictate.
“We felt at the start of the season this year that we would be a bit more dogged and a bit more of a difficult team to beat. In fairness to the guys, probably the main reason why we’ve not conceded a huge amount of goals is they’ve worked extremely hard. They are fit, once you’re really fit you give yourself a chance. Plus they are concentrated, we’ve probably settled down a little bit quicker than other teams. We have a decent enough balance within the team. The balance we have has allowed us to get a reasonably good start.
“The other teams will get better. Bray Wanderers had a good result last weekend, Wexford Youths aren’t far off getting a result, Longford Town when they get all their players back will be a decent team. So overall it is a good start, but we are cute enough to know that is all it is.”
Next on the agenda for United is a clash with Pat Fenlon's Hoops, and Dunne is expecting a "tough test" in the capital. “Rovers have played only four games, they’ve three wins and one defeat,” Dunne says. “They will look to turn us over at Tallaght, but we are hungry to try to get something. If we do, it is a bonus.
“I think Rovers will have to try to take us on to beat us. It is going to be a good match, we are looking forward to it, but you need to be strong and resolute against what I think is a good Rovers team with a really good manager behind them. We will have a very tough test on Friday.”
Galway United Supporters Trust are running a bus to Fridays match at Tallaght Stadium, leaving from The Dail Bar at 4.00pm. Seats can be bookedby contacting Ronan Coleman at (087 ) 6972823.
