Galway United Women were determined to have their say on the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division title one way or another.
Last Saturday, they served up one of their best performances of the season, turning over a Shels side they had previously struggled against. In front of the TV cameras, they were unlucky to go behind in the first and fought back valiantly in the second half.
It proved to themselves and others, coming as it did on the back of a draw away to Athlone, that they are good enough to mix it with the best.
They will hope to bring that form into something of a grudge match against Peamount United this Saturday. It is a repeat fixture of a game called off earlier in the season and Phil Trill’s side should not be short of motivation for the journey east.
Confidence too should not be in short supply. It was as strong a side as they fielded this season. The importance of the return of Jamie Erickson is difficult to understate. She was commanding at the back and amazingly got her second goal in three games, each of them decisive. Her presence also freed up Lucy Jayne Grant to play at left-back and Aoibheann Costello to be very effective up front.
The latter operated on the left of the three up front, with Emma Doherty and Ceola Bergin, and her work-rate and pressing was phenomenal. She was unlucky not to score a sensational goal early on but still had a massive say. She produced a fantastic cross from a corner that Doherty headed home for the equaliser.
It was the same recipe for the second, a sweet delivery from Costello thundered home from the head of Erickson. United were strong in midfield too. Niamh Farrelly was energetic and assured on the ball. She was ably assisted by Kate Thompson and Isabella Beletic in a powerful midfield. Phil Trill could also afford to introduce Amanda Smith, Ava Mullins, Lynsey McKey and Aoibhín Donnelly off the bench to see out the game.
It all bodes very well for 2026, but the best part of six months remains until the start of that campaign. For now, United will concentrate on finishing strongly.
