Galway United’s win last March in the Ryan McBride Brandywell was the result that demanded they be taken seriously by the rest of the division. Less than three weeks into this season, they have already accomplished that task as they seek to repeat a massive win tomorrow night.
United have proven their worth against presumptive title challengers Shelbourne and St Pat’s at home. They have shown their steel away in Cork and Drogheda. They are yet to taste defeat.
Tomorrow’s opponents already need to turn their season around. This is a hugely important game for their new manager Tiernan Lynch. His side was well beaten in their opener by Shelbourne. Despite a good win at home to Bohs, they come into this game on the back of two damaging defeats at home to Waterford and away at Pat’s.
The Candystripes’ recruitment has attracted plenty of column inches. Kevin Holt’s decision to ditch Dundee United and the SPL for the League of Ireland is illustrative of the financial clout that the Phillip O’ Doherty backed club has. Shane Ferguson, Liam Boyce, Gavin Whyte, Robbie Benson and Carl Winchester all came too with stellar CV’s and stacks of international caps between them.
It hasn’t gelled so far but United will be mindful of a backlash from a squad surely assembled for a tilt at the title. The Tribesmen’s focus as ever will be on themselves.
After naming the same eleven for the first three games, John Caulfield was able to rotate for Monday’s game against Shels. Cian Byrne earned his first start and impressed with his work-rate in midfield. Regan Donelon started at left wing-back and his sweet left foot caused consternation at times for Shels. Indeed, it was the root cause of the equaliser. Vince Borden was rewarded for some good cameos off the bench and again proved dependable in midfield.
Management would prefer to have the options of Conor McCormack and Garry Buckley. Both have sat on the bench at times, but neither has tasted minutes so far. Further along his journey to fitness is Ed McCarthy, who got game time in Drogheda and was effective upon introduction. He may push for inclusion from the start this Friday.
It remains unclear as to where he might be accommodated in the new 3-5-2 formation, but he did well in an advanced midfield role in Louth.
Most had solid outings on Monday night, in a game that will always be remembered for the goal that was, wasn’t and then was again after referee Rob Hennessy disallowed a good goal, before bravely owning up to the mistake and reversing the decision and awarding the goal.
It came after a Donelon corner was headed into his own net by John Martin. Linesman Darren Corcoran initially flagged for offside, but when it was realised that the header came from a Shels head, rendering Rob Slevin’s position irrelevant, common sense prevailed.
United had gone a goal down after some invention from Harry Wood found Evan Caffrey unmarked at the far post. After the match, Ollie Horgan was disappointed that it all stemmed from a routine long ball over the top from Paddy Barrett.
Privately, management might have been slightly disappointed that it took that goal to awaken United from a slumber. They had been somewhat passive up to that point but were rampant again when in search of a leveller. In the end, they provided value for their point but had Brendan Clarke to thank for a couple of smart saves in the second half.
There is likely to be a need for similar rearguard action in Derry. Galwayman Patrick Hoban will be foremost in their thoughts. He is far from a one-man band however. Michael Duffy has shown some form early in the season. Paul McMullan always carries a threat. Their options are myriad, with Liam Boyce, Dom Thomas and Robbie Benson all more than capable of causing problems.
United know their strengths though and will want to make this game uncomfortable for their hosts. They will strive to run their socks off against a side that has had its critics for its age profile. 10 of the 14 outfield players that saw minutes last time out were aged 29 or over. Only three of United’s 15 on Monday were on the wrong side of that metric.
Despite the limited data on form so far, there still should be no doubting the scale of the challenge that faces United in their quest to maintain their unbeaten start. However, they will carry confidence and can be relied upon to give a good account of themselves. Another big night in the big time is a prize in and of itself.
