On Monday, the streets of Salthill were lined in a touching tribute to the late, great Ollie Horgan. On Sunday, Galway United will have to line out in Tolka Park for a game that still matters deeply.
The loss of a giant of the game might provide perspective to some on the importance of Galway United’s trip to Shelbourne. Ollie Horgan would not have been one of them. He was a man that worked until his very last for this group, for this game, for Galway.
It is to honour him, to acknowledge that this game still matters deeply. Emotionally and professionally, United carry a lot with them into these final eight league games. They face a very difficult assignment, one that had to be postponed last week to accommodate funeral arrangements. Shelbourne hit heights in the first half of their win in Windsor Park that confirmed they belonged in the group stages of European competition.
Damien Duff got the plaudits he deserved for transforming a club and a league. Joey O’Brien deserves his too for taking on his friend’s mantle and taking the team to another level with the quality they have recruited and produced.
No one has a more difficult job than John Caulfield currently. He has suffered a personal and professional loss. There have been difficulties in recruitment, retention, and injuries, but to galvanise the squad for battle will be a big challenge.
Along with his assistant, he has instilled professionalism and passion in a club that often lacked it. The style it has yielded has not been universally popular. The results it has brought recently have not been what is needed – they are winless in their last eight league games.
In their most recent outings, similarly difficult games against Rovers and Derry, performances have been positive and merited more than they got. They are in a situation where they need to overperform again, this time on the road. Their next three away league games are all in Dublin, against sides chasing Europe or the league.
They are in the difficult position now of looking like they need something from them to avoid facing a relegation play-off. Currently, only goal difference is keeping them off that spot occupied by Sligo Rovers.
The trip to Tolka is their game in hand on their Connacht rivals. Shels themselves have games in hand and ground to make up on Drogheda, Pat’s et al.
It was said that the European qualification for Rovers and Shels were a fitting tribute to the great Ollie Horgan. He would likely have preferred a performance of passion and purpose from a Galway team. Sunday evening at 5pm provides this opportunity.
