Tuesday proved to be another disappointing evening in the SSE Airtricity League premier division for Galway United, who were beaten by Shamrock Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Gary Shaw’s headed goal on the stroke of half time ensured United have now suffered four defeats in five matches since defeating table-toppers Dundalk.
Last Friday United were resilient when drawing 0-0 at the Brandywell against Derry City, but a promising Rovers outfit claimed the spoils at the Dyke Road venue.
“At times we lacked a bit of quality, it is just that we switch off at critical times,” was manager Tommy Dunne’s verdict. “I still feel our work rate needs to be higher. Again, off the back of a very long trip to Derry, you can understand certain aspects of it.
“That is the game, you have to be more aggressive when you are chasing the game and chasing after people. You have to be aggressive. It is tough, to be able to do that you need to be extremely fit and I thought we fell a little bit short on that side of the game.”
Despite United’s recent poor run Dunne feels United can stitch a run together soon.
“When you win matches, it breeds confidence, but I don't think there is a problem with a lack of confidence,” Dunne says. “Maybe some of the play needs to better. We have to be more concentrated and more tidy when we have the ball.
“We give it away too much as a team. It has been our Achilles' heel for quite a time, but we are working. I do think it is a mindset. When you come into the premier division, the game is quicker so you have to play quicker. We are finding that aspect of the game tough, to be able to keep at it, week-in week-out over the course of the season.
“It was just before half time, a lapse in concentration. We had opportunities to score, we didn't take them. Then you get a sucker punch right on the stroke of half time, it changes the dynamic of the game again. But we had our chances. We hit the crossbar right at the death which was a chance to get something out of the game.”
Youngster Conor Melody impressed in a central attacking midfield role. “I thought he played well, I thought he was good, his feet were good,” Dunne said. “He was at the game. He is allowed a bit of freedom in that role to get forward, I thought he did quite well over the course of the 90 minutes.
“He is still only young, he is still learning, it was a good performance and we will have to give him more game time. I will have to look at one or two others as regards to game time, but it is just disappointing not to get something from the game.”
United return to action at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday September 16 when Bohemians will visit the west.
