Galway United face two demanding assignments in the next week travelling to Oriel Park for a clash with SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions Dundalk tomorrow, before hosting St Patrick’s Athletic at Eamonn Deacy Park next Tuesday.
Tommy Dunne’s team are currently in the middle of a particularly demanding schedule packed with matches which included a disappointing 2-0 EA Sports Cup quarter-final loss on Tuesday against Limerick FC at the Markets Field. United made seven changes from the team that drew 2-2 with Longford Town the previous Friday and Dunne acknowledged it was a blow to be knocked out of the competition. “It was disappointing, we brought in some players, we made changes,” Dunne said about United’s heavy itinerary. “To be honest the changes didn't hugely affect the game as regards our team trying to be on top. We are disappointed.
“Limerick controlled it in the first half, but when we had it we gave it away too much, simple. They got into certain areas of the pitch at different times. In wide areas they had good danger, we didn't deal with their wide players well enough. There is a lot of food for thought there, but it gives us an indication that we were a little bit off.
“It is a bit of a fixture nightmare for us at the moment. We played on Tuesday in Limerick, we have to go to Dundalk on Friday. We have another game on Tuesday (against St Patrick's Athletic ) so we had to mix it up. Otherwise you would be bleeding guys dry. We had to use one or two because of injuries, we have four out that would be potential starters for us. That is causing us a few problems too.”
Paudie O’Connor put Limerick ahead in the first half before Shane Duggan added a controversial second after the restart. “I thought it was offside myself, but in saying that we needed to react better,” Dunne commented. “We gave the ball away, but listen, Limerick fully deserved their win. It gives us a reminder that unless we are at full strength and playing what we would regard as our top players then we are going to find it difficult.”
Dunne located a few crumbs of comfort from a tough EA Sports Cup loss highlighting the fact that Armin Aganovic made his debut for the Tribesmen. “I thought Jesse Devers when he came on looked lively. Armin got through a full 90 minutes, he looked okay. Outside of that there wasn't a huge amount for us.”
United boss Dunne confirmed that Kevin Devaney and Vinny Faherty, who has scored eight league goals in 10 matches, should return to the squad. “Kevin will be there or thereabouts,” Dunne revealed. “Whether he starts or not we aren't sure. We have a few niggly injuries, Ryan Connolly still has a bit of a niggle. We tried to change it up in Limerick, but Vinny Faherty will come back into the frame for Friday as will the guys who were rested.
“We are going to Dundalk to face the champions, then we have Pat's on Tuesday at home. We have difficult matches coming, but we know that.”
Galway United Supporters Trust are running a bus to Fridays Airtricity League match at Oriel Park, leaving from The Dail Bar at 3.00pm. Seats can be booked by contacting Ronan Coleman at (087 ) 6972823 or Dominick Walsh at (087 ) 9163438.
