Galway United will be hoping to produce a much improved performance in Friday's SSE Airtricity League premier division clash against Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park.
The Tribesmen were thumped 5-0 by Cork City at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday - a wretched evening for United who leaked the fifth goal after 75 minutes when Sean Maguire headed home an inviting Karl Sheppard cross.
Former United favourite Sheppard was immense, creating four goals for a rampant Cork outfit.
"We were chasing the game,” said Galway United coach Gary O'Connor, who is working alongside Leo Tierney.
“We prepared all week that we would meet them head on to get after them. Our plan was to start like a house on fire, but Cork blew us away, they were a different class."
Since Tommy Dunne's departure as manager, United have defeated Finn Harps and lost to title chasing Cork. O'Connor says United have endured a difficult spell.
“It’s been a hard couple of weeks, the players have been up and down. It’s sort of Jekyll and Hyde. Even last week against Finn Harps, we were good in the first half and then poor in the second half."
Throughout the campaign United have mixed good and bad moments, ultimately meaning the second half of the season has been a deep disappointment.
“That’s the way it’s been all season and it’s probably cost us and that’s why we’re probably as low down the table as we are," is O'Connor's verdict. "There’s no consistency and that’s what you’re looking for.”
United were in serious trouble from an early stage against Cork, who ruthlessly punished the locals. “ Cork had nailed us early on and we were chasing their tail after that.
“It’s a tough night for everyone, players, supporters and staff. Hats off to Cork, they were top class."
United now face a long trip to the southeast for a match with Wexford, who have only registered three home wins in 2016. On the road Galway have struggled, too, failing to post a victory away from Eamonn Deacy Park since May.
“We’re looking forward and we want to kick on," O'Connor says as United, currently ninth, target a seventh place finish. "We have to stay positive."
Three competitive matches remain in the year for United, who face Wexford, Longford Town, and Dundalk in the next fortnight.
“We’re going to keep our standards, we’re not going to let things drop. It was a tough night at the office, but we’ll suck it up and move on to go again.”
