Galway United kept their faint title hopes alive with a spirited 1-0 win away in Tallaght last Saturday that sets them up well for a revenge mission against Bohemians on Saturday.
United’s path to the title is looking incredibly narrow. Athlone could succumb to Shels and United and would still fend off the Tribeswomen on goal difference. Capturing the ultimate honours would most likely require an additional slip-up for the champions against DLR Waves or Cork City.
It is unlikely. Rather, the race for European football is more realistic. United have a game in-hand on Shels. They will host them in their final game of the season in a match that could act as a European playoff. It would be sure to capture the imagination of the sporting public.
United will have plenty to focus on in the interim. There is little danger of them taking Bohs for granted after their damaging defeat in Dalymount. The same side has won two further games in Dalymount since, with further 1-0 wins over Wexford and Peamount.
It is away from home that they have struggled. They have yet to win away from home this season but have four draws on their travels. Neither this game, nor the trips to Peamount or Wexford will be easy for United but they must target them either side of their showdowns with Athlone and Shels.
They will be pleased that Emma Doherty is back in goalscoring form, only Dana Scheriff has scored more in the league. By the time she stole away and finished brilliantly against Rovers, United will have felt they should have been already ahead.
Aoibheann Clancy had been thwarted just minutes before. Aoibheann Costello, who was everywhere, came close to sealing the points. In the end, Amanda McQuillan pulled off a great save deep into injury time to make sure of the three points.
United are likely to need all of these key performers on Saturday in Eamonn Deacy Park (kick-off 5pm ). Despite shipping a couple of goals early to Cork, the defensive displays have been impressive of late.
This can prove a foundation for a successful end to the season.
