The manner of the season’s first defeat in Tolka Park in the All-Island Cup was a source of some contention. However, Galway United must move on quickly.
They face DLR Waves on Sunday afternoon at 3pm in Headford. Even if it is a fixture unlikely to capture the imagination on the other side of the nearby Mayo border, it is a massive game for the home team.
A couple of unfortunate draws, fixture sequencing and cup progression means that United, still undefeated in the league, who had led the league from the start, will kick-off five points from the top, possibly in third position.
They will have their games in hand but with an onus on converting them to victories. The recent experience against Waterford should guard against any complacency.
They have not been at their best since. They edged past Peamount with a late equaliser and penalties. They did beat Treaty in the FAI Cup but relinquished a 3-0 lead against Shamrock Rovers.
United will be somewhat disappointed with their cup final display also, given the standards they themselves have set. Shels’ second goal was undoubtedly controversial. Rebecca Watkins was in an offside position when a ball was knocked back into the box.
She did not make contact with the ball but made a move towards it, which can be argued as interference. United were adamant that Pearl Slattery was offside anyway. The camera replays were inconclusive. What had seemed a blatant offside became less convincing with each watch. Regardless, she headed home to end the game as a contest.
United have to take their share of the blame. Slow runners meant that Slattery might have been onside when there shouldn’t have been any ambiguity. Amanda McQuillan claimed offside instead of playing to the whistle. She was then sent off for her protestations. Before that entirely, United will have been disappointed that Watkins had so much time and space which she used to rifle home the first in the 51st minute.
There were positives. Aoibheann Costello led the fight in the first and Aoibhín Donnelly had looked bright on the flank also. Remini Tillotson returned and should strengthen the squad again.
United now face an important sequence where there will be little room for slip-ups. In their next five league games, they face the four bottom teams. Interspersed are a couple of fixtures against Sligo, in the cup and league, whose fortunes have improved recently.
The decisive time will come in October with games against Athlone and Shelbourne but if United are to go for the ultimate glory, they need to arrive at that period in a strong position. That mission starts on Sunday.
