After somehow coming up short against the league’s bottom team, Galway United host its top team tomorrow night in Eamonn Deacy Park.
St Pat’s have emerged as the most likely challengers to Shamrock Rovers this season and have moved top after a couple of impressive wins over Bohs and Drogheda.
The early optimism that Galway United might do enough to keep themselves out of harm’s way has already dissipated. The most likely scenario now seems like a battle royale to avoid ninth spot, assuming Waterford stay adrift at the bottom.
It seemed like a safe assumption for the first hour in the RSC last Friday. Galway United blitzed their hosts. It was easily their most dominant display in the top tier under John Caulfield.
Yet, despite their territory, set pieces and chances, they could only score once and thus allowed Waterford back into the game. The home side improved as they made changes. There were two changes at half-time but more significant still were the introductions of Conan Noonan and Tommy Lonergan in the 65th minute.
It was nonetheless gut-wrenching when Waterford stole an equaliser with the last kick of the game. United continued to miss chances to clinch the win until the death. For the fourth time this season, they lost points late on.
Sub Dean McMenamy poked home from a corner at the back stick to steal an unlikely share of the spoils. It is unclear what the draw means for Waterford, who really needed a win. They are eight points behind Drogheda and do not have a friendly run of fixtures to fall back on.
United, now on 15 points, have had their lead over Sligo evaporate thanks to three wins on the spin for the Bit O’Red.
Most would expect Shels to summon enough to leave this scrap behind, after their recent wretched run of four losses in-a-row. Therefore, Sligo, Drogheda, and United will see one another as their main rivals. Some may still harbour hopes of dragging Dundalk down into the fray. However, the Lilywhites continue to sit pretty in third despite their loss in Sligo.
United might fancy themselves to make life difficult for St Pat’s tomorrow. They were undone late in Inchicore by Kian Leavy but beat them twice in Terryland last season.
Arthur Parker was a notable absentee last time out. He would provide a good outlet on the right. Al-Amin Kazeem had his best showing in his second stint with United at left-back and there is therefore a selection dilemma between him and Lee Devitt. Kazeem may have some extra incentive after his struggles for game time with Pat’s.
Jimmy Keohane got 15 minutes in the RSC and may press for further inclusion. The usual jostling for position up front continues.
Ultimately, United might need someone clinical up front. The raft of chances created in the south-east are unlikely to be replicated. A change of shape may also be preferred with Wasiri Williams an option to bring some ballast to the backline.
If United can bring the same verve and tempo that they brought in Waterford, it promises to be another engaging night.
