There should be some relief for Galway United Women that this weekend represents a return to action in the All-Island Cup, after a torrid series of results has all but scuppered their chances of league success.
Saturday’s trip to Peamount has plenty of significance of its own. There will be some ill-feeling carried over from the events earlier in the season where the side’s league game was postponed after United had travelled to Dublin.
More immediately, United’s league form places more pressure on them to deliver in cup competition. They are bidding for an incredible third consecutive All-Island success and a win on Saturday would guarantee progression to the quarter-finals.
The teams would seem well matched. Nothing separates them in the league table.
United have failed to win on either of their previous trips to Greenogue Park. Having won comfortably against Cork, Peamount’s need in the cup might seem greater as they still face a difficult trip to Cliftonville in their final game.
United have the relative comfort of a final home game against Cork should it be required. That is not to discount Cork entirely, who have had a couple of impressive results, but otherwise struggled, notably shipping seven goals away to Shelbourne.
Last time out in the cup, Phil Trill played a strong side, infused with some youth and he has every incentive to do likewise this time around. Some aspects of the performance against Treaty would also give some impetus to freshening up the line-up.
There has been rotation in goals, therefore it is always interesting to see who gets the nod there. Nicole Nix has started most often. United have been uncharacteristically porous, albeit against tough opposition, and there is still some scope for competition in that position. Four keepers have been in matchday squads thus far, with Jayne Merren and Nix sharing the minutes.
At the back, Eve Dossen and Lucy Jayne Grant are well established in the middle, but there have been different combinations in the full-back positions. Therese Kinnevey and Aoibheann Costello had been automatics over the previous seasons, but Kate Thompson, Ava Mullins have seen time there also.
The big issue has been in midfield where Lynsey McKey’s absence has been keenly felt. Kate Thompson has not always been able to feature there. Niamh Farrelly has been in and out of the team.
Up front, Emma Doherty has played all but eight minutes. She started on fire, with five goals in her first five games but has not been able to sustain that return in her last four. Rola Olusola has been trusted to start more and more, having been more commonly deployed from the bench last season. As always, she has made a positive impact.
There is quality in every line but a confidence boost for the squad would be welcome. The competition that they have made their own might provide the perfect tonic.
