After a demoralising loss in the Connacht Derby, Galway United’s position is now precarious. A run of three points out of a possible 33 has seen them fall into the relegation playoff place for the first time this season.
Monday’s defeat will have stung the group. They now have the unenviable task of bouncing back against Cork.
Again, a win is of paramount importance. It would effectively relegate Cork and haul United back into the race to avoid the playoff. Waterford are also in free fall and their drop off, as well as this fixture against Cork, look the likeliest escape valves for an increasingly desperate United.
A fine crowd gathered on Monday and would have been pleased enough with the first quarter. United created a couple of chances and enjoyed the better of it. But when Sligo settled, they played more of the football with O’Kane, McManus, Hakiki and Elding menacing.
Under-21 international Hakiki stood apart and carved a few openings either side of the break. Ironically, it was a set-piece that sent them ahead.
Sligo won the first contact from the out-swinger deep in the box. Brendan Clarke undoubtedly made the wrong decision to lunge for the second ball. However, replays suggested he may have been impeded by a seemingly offside Hakiki. Either way, Cian Kavanagh nodded home and Sligo got a goal that had been coming. They were content to drop deep and play on the counter for the rest of the game and the strategy was effective.
United laboured going forward but did force a big chance to labour that Dara McGuinness could not convert. Patrick Hickey had also been close at the end of the first half. Sam Sargeant reacted well on both occasions. That was it as United ran out of steam thereafter.
There was limited impact off the bench and goals again proved the problem. They have four in their last nine league games. Yet, all of this angst needs to be parked. Tomorrow’s game is too critical. This is still a team capable of beating Cork. In a low ebb of confidence, a spark is needed to ignite them. Plenty of these players have provided it before.
Terryland could help or hinder them. United fans have been looking on powerless over the last months despite still turning out in their numbers.
A raucous atmosphere could help to set the tone. But then, the team will need to respond. It is crucial for this future of Galway football that they do.
