It was a rare and welcome win in the FAI Cup for Galway United, when they turned over Treaty thanks to a clever finish from Emma Doherty.
This Sunday, they entertain Shamrock Rovers at 4pm in Moyne Villa, a fixture that has changed to allow for the clash with the men’s game on Saturday evening.
Interestingly, it means that United will kick off after their main title rivals have played twice. Athlone and Shelbourne play this Wednesday night with the result unknown at the time of going to press. They will both fancy themselves in their Saturday fixtures.
Having led from the start, United are likely to face their first deficit of the season, therefore. They will have to try to overhaul it against a side that had started the season strongly but have faded of late.
Rovers had lost four games on the spin in all competitions, before arresting the slide away to Wexford last week. They will feel a need to back that win up to keep in touch at the top.
They are a side not short of quality. Therese Kinnevey’s ability is well known in Galway. Jamie Thompson has always caught the eye in these fixtures. Sadhbh Doyle has contributed important goals since her switch from Peamount. Katie O’ Reilly started the season in good goalscoring form while Ella Kelly is as exciting a young talent as there is in the league.
United should be buoyed by another tight win. They won without Aoibhín Donnelly or Ceola Bergin in attack. Kate Thompson was also absent, starring for the Galway footballers against Mayo. Nicole Nix did well again in goals and is proving a capable understudy. She made a string of saves in the cup to help her side’s progression.
United have therefore shown their ability to adapt and also grind out results. They might need to do both to keep their title bid on course on Sunday.
