However, they now must look with some envy at their visitors on Saturday. Bohs have winnable ties in the All-Island Cup Final and FAI Cup Semi-Final. They are also getting far bigger crowds than those in Eamonn Deacy Park.
There were 1,389 at Bohs’ All-Island Cup semi-final, albeit against neighbours Shels, as opposed to the 353 at United’s home loss to Wexford.
For all this, United are four points better off in the league standings with a game less played. Bohs have been inconsistent in the league and lost on Tuesday to Peamount. The quick turnaround and busy calendar are challenges for them as they travel to Galway.
United remain nine points off the top. Athlone have finally shown some fallibility, with three successive draws, including one against United. Only Shels have really managed to capitalise. It is difficult to foresee anything but a shootout between the top two.
But United are still strengthening. Jamie Erickson marked her return with a player of the match performance against Shamrock Rovers. It came in her side’s second consecutive outing in front of the TV cameras, where they were assured against Rovers.
Aoibhín Donnelly is another proven addition in attack. The new arrivals have meant there is now strength in depth, with underage internationals and key performers Kate Thompson and Ceola Bergin only coming off the bench last Saturday.
Whatever team Phil Trill opts for, there will be strong, experienced options on the bench for him to finish the game. That was not the case in his first season and was not always the way at the first half of this season.
It is not possible to let such a short season fizzle out, so United will be keen to at least match their third-place finish of last season. Despite Wexford, Bohs et al improving, United might still feel they are at least the best of the rest, outside of the top two. They certainly were last year.
As they strengthen despite silverware looking out of reach, it feels like they are already working on bridging the gap to the top in 2026.
