Galway United Women face another important test when they travel to Treaty United on Sunday afternoon.
They will be respectful of their opponents on Sunday for many reasons. Firstly, Jodie Griffin and Rola Olusola, who both made important contributions in maroon, have both made the move to Limerick.
Secondly, their early season form has been decent. They might have been expected to overcome Cork and Waterford, but they did so comfortably. They also claimed another win in the All-Island Cup against 2023 finalists Cliftonville. A loss to Shels on the opening date has been their only reversal to date.
United have had as impressive a start as they could have hoped for. Their 4-0 win last time out against Peamount was the pick of the results. They had that game wrapped up before half-time.
Ceola Bergin bagged another brace. Aoibheann Costello scored her second in successive games while Aoibhín Donnelly also chipped in.
Phil Trill resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes in the cup. Only Nicole Nix made her first start of the season.
Five players started the first four games. Only two, Remini Tillotson and Niamh Farrelly, played every minute. Incredibly, 22 players have already tasted action. Some 17 of them have had a start.
Since coming up short in a title bid in 2024, Trill has been eager to build depth in his squad. He certainly seems to think he has it now.
United’s upcoming run of fixtures is tricky. Sunday is arguably their most difficult league encounter to date. However, the next three games also represent an opportunity to stake a real claim before defining fixtures against Shels and Athlone in May.
Both of those sides have awkward encounters in the coming weeks and both have dropped unexpected points so far. The competition seems deeper this season. Sligo, Wexford and Bohs have all taken points from the top teams. Shamrock Rovers and Treaty United have the capability of at least upsetting those above them and potentially displacing some.
The focus in Galway will be on the processes and performance of their own and everything else takes care of itself. There are certainly grounds for hope but Sunday will be instructive.
