Galway United completed a clean sweep on Monday night with their fourth win against Sligo this season.
It is a record and a result that all but condemns their Connacht rivals to relegation. Unfortunately, United still have some work to do to ensure they don’t join them.
It is remarkable that United’s form over the last 10 games hasn’t generated a greater reward. Seven points separate the sides between fourth and ninth. There is little certainty within this group. It is probable that Drogheda and Waterford don’t have enough games left to reel in fourth place.
At the other end, Dundalk should have enough of a buffer to avoid being dragged into the relegation play-off discussion. After that, it is all to play for.
United didn’t have one of their better performances on Monday. It was a game played in front of an alarming crowd given its importance. There is a sense that some fatalism and acceptance had already set in in Sligo.
Whether or which, by John Caulfield’s own admission, the home team started much brighter and were ahead early. United also had to withstand a good chunk of the second half on the back foot.
They did so professionally and were grateful for Dylan Connolly who made an impact upon his introduction and won the penalty that Jimmy Keohane dispatched to put the tie beyond doubt. It was his second spotkick of the evening to add to Stephen Walsh’s first half goal. The strikes made for a more comfortable sounding result than it was in reality.
United will still feel pressure when they travel to Derry tomorrow night. They need something from the games against the Candystripes and Shels. These sides have now somehow become rivals at the end of the season despite vastly different outlays.
More pertinently, these two fixtures come before a really tricky run where United host Pats and Rovers who are now locked into a real battle at the top of the table. The away days against Waterford and Drogheda will likely be decisive. It would make a big difference to arrive into those games with some form of advantage.
They have arrived at the formula that will likely get them there. Seven of the outfield players that played in Sligo had significant experience in defence. They will rely on that strength, aggression and work rate to get them over the line.
When they do create moments, Walsh, Keohane, Connolly proved on Monday they can take advantage. Walsh showed the world last Friday the quality he possesses with a stunning strike that will live long in the memory.
