At the end of a dramatic weekend at the bottom of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division, Galway United got a heroic draw in Dalymount Park. That they still lost some ground in their bid to beat the drop gives a good indication of the nature of the competition they face.
For the second weekend running, all of the sides wrapped in battle at the bottom took points. This time, Waterford continued their remarkable climb with a win at home to Shels.
It piles the stakes higher for United’s return to Eamonn Deacy Park tomorrow night when they host Drogheda. There is still a seven point gap to Sligo, but tomorrow night’s visitors could overtake them were they to win.
United should take some confidence from their display against Bohs who have been one of the form teams in the league.
None more so than Hugo da Cunha who made a string of saves to keep his side on terms. Wasiri Williams was dominant at the back. Lee Devitt put in a fantastic performance in midfield. Frantz Pierrot was menacing in attack.
The most pleasing aspect was that United dealt well with the absences of Connor Barratt, Leigh Kavanagh and Stephen Walsh. Mitchell Bates and Vincent Angelini didn’t taste any minutes but they have already added to the strength of the squad which will be crucial in the run-in.
Kavanagh couldn’t play against his old club while Barratt was understood to be carrying an illness. There should be significant options to choose from at the back therefore. Killian Brouder was also an unused substitute last time out.
Lee Devitt thrived in the middle while Al-Amin Kazeem enjoyed his best performance since his return at left-back. This provides further flexibility in the middle, where Jimmy Keohane might also be freed up to feature. Bates will also be pushing his case while Matty Wolfe, who has been red hot recently with four goals in two games, was an unused sub also.
David Hurley and Ed McCarthy continue to be available and reliable in a changing United team. Hurley might be somewhat fortunate to be available tomorrow after a tussle in Dalymount. United fans would argue that not many other decisions went their way on Sunday evening.
Up front, Twardek again featured from the bench against his old side. Along with another former Bohs man, Dylan Connolly, they provide good options to compliment Pierrot who has started four league games in a row.
Therefore there is competition across the lines. It can only serve to drive performance. However, the result is more important than ever tomorrow in the context of the quality and competition they are facing. They will be looking for any little edge and will hope a return to their spiritual home can give them a sufficient lift.
