Galway United Women can take a step closer to silverware on Saturday in Headford when they entertain Linfield in the quarter-final of the All-Island Cup.
Linfield, who have been strong in the competition to date, should provide a stern test. They had a difficult group which they got out of thanks to a whopping 5-0 win over Sligo and a decent draw against Wexford.
Domestically, they enjoyed two more wallopings over Derry and Larne, before a narrow defeat to a strong Cliftonville.
United were in rare form until their break last week. Ordinarily, teams will not want a break with momentum of that level. However, tough games against Shels and Athlone before a more secure win against DLR Waves must have taken some toll.
It is a great coup for Moyne Villa, a club that has developed an excellent facility, to host a game of this magnitude. There are undoubted positives there.
It does however feel inevitable that if this team continues its trajectory, they will outgrow such venues this season as the city and county awaken to their skill and potential. Playing in the county can be argued to be a logical step towards that ambition.
Another day in the sun in this competition would only help in that. Last time out, the subtle rotations and opportunities off the bench showed that they have the squad to fight on all fronts.
As such, there are positive problems in selection all over the pitch. Nicole Nix has been in the goals in this competition and only conceded once. Two of Lynsey McKey’s three starts have come in this competition and it is always a joy to see her craft. Abbie Callanan got her first start of the campaign last time out.
The firepower up front is undoubted, United are solid at the back, and have options in midfield. They have enjoyed a spread of goals of late also.
Simply stated, they have all the ingredients as two-time competition winners to go again.
