SPÓ IRT
December 01 2020
Galway United Season in Review By Oisín Bradley The cliché of ‘a tale of two halves’ is one which is frequently bandied about in football and wider sporting spheres. That said, there are few instances where such a phrase could be more accurately applied than the 2020 First Division season for Galway United. Here, we’ll be putting the season of the men from Eamonn Deacy Park under the microscope, and examining how a team managed to turn from a side propping up the table to promotion hopefuls.
mances. However, the opposite proved to be the case, as a 0-2 home loss to Cabinteely kick-started a miserable run of games post-lockdown. In the aftermath, four games without a victory followed, and a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Drogheda United in August proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Murphy vacated his role at the helm of Galway United having spent two years in charge. The start to the season could only be described as a disappointing one, as the influx of promising young talent failed to make any meaningful impact, and as Murphy cleared his desk prospects looked bleak.
Gameweek 8-15:
Gameweek 1-7: As the League of Ireland First Division prepared to swing into action in late February, there was a sense of enthusiasm that ‘United manager Alan Murphy would be able to hit the ground running as the men from the West aimed for the promotion places. The squad had seem an influx of new faces join in the off-season, and competition was healthy as the Tribesmen headed for Tallaght on matchday one. A draw snatched from the jaws of defeat by Conor Barry vs Shamrock Rovers II was far from ideal, however it was better than defeat, and despite a goalless draw on the road against Wexford Youths hopes were still high. A League Cup win over Athlone Town followed, however it would be the last time we would see the men in maroon walk out onto the turf of Eamonn Deacy Park for some time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When Alan Murphy’s men returned to league action some months later, all involved at the club would’ve been looking for an uptake in perfor-
Another goalless draw vs league leaders Bray followed, before John Caulfield took the reins midway through the campaign. Caulfield joined on the back of an impressive stint which saw him lift six honours at Cork City, and the attraction of such a high-profile name would certainly have got pulses racing amongst the ‘United faithful. However, few could’ve anticipated the turnaround he had instrumented. A 4-1 victory over near rivals Athlone Town provided a vital first league win of the season to kick-start his tenure, with Mikey Place to the fore at Lissywollen. A 3-0 win in the UCD Bowl followed, and from there confidence and momentum seemed to flow around the camp and dressing room. It seemed that a 1-1 draw against opening-day opponents Shamrock Rovers II beckoned again, however Kevin Farragher rose highest to capitalise on a long throwin at the death and make it three from three. A string of 1-0 victories followed, and as Galway made their way up the table the previously unthinkable notion of promotion this season became a distinct possibility. If Caulfield and his Galway men had any plans of keeping a low profile, they blew that out of the water with a 6-2 romping of Longford Town. Longford were 2-0 up on their home patch, before a Marc Ludden goal in the 44th-minute started a scoring spree. Galway scored more goals in this game than in the entire league campaign under Murphy, and against a serious promotion contender too. This game was a serious signal of how far John Caulfield had brought this dressing room.
Gameweek 15-18, Play-offs: Galway looked poised to keep the good run of form going as they welcomed Drogheda United to their home patch as the season entered its conclusion, and Wilson Waweru’s early strike had them ahead, however a brace of Drogheda goals flipped the script and had the hosts chasing the game. Life was made altogether more difficult by a red card which was controversial to say the least for Stephen Christopher, and from there it was near-impossible for the hosts. Travelling to in-form leaders Bray seemed like a difficult task for anyone, however the three points were essential to stand any chance of sneaking into the playoffs. That’s where Longford hat-trick hero, Carlton Ubaezaonu became the man of the hour deep into injury time to pluck victory from the ashes. Unfortunately, the final League game of the season vs UCD could only be described as a disappointment. UCD travelled to Galway as a side already practically secured of qualification, however Galway played themselves into a game. Conceding two goals in the final ten minutes seemed to consign the hosts to the end of their season, and Shane Duggan’s fine strike at the death seemed to simply be a consolation. Little did they know… Galway must’ve thanked their lucky stars when they were granted access to the playoffs at the eleventh hour, and they grasped it with both hands dispatching of Bray to secure passage to the finals. Ultimately, failure came at the final hurdle, and defeat against Longford Town in a game where Galway just came up short signalled the end of a campaign where John Caulfield completely altered the trajectory of this club. He instilled some muchneeded belief in a side severely lacking in said department. Given a Winter of constructing a squad which is his own and a full pre-season, an exciting season lies in wait for the Terryland faithful in 2021.
Soccer – FAI Women’s National League GALWAY WFC 0-2 WEXFORD YOUTHS | Galway fall to defeat in final home clash By Oisín Bradley Galway WFC’s final home game of the Women’s National League season ended in a 2-0 defeat to Wexford Youths in Eamonn Deacy Park. Billy Clery’s charges would’ve been looking to cap their home form off on a high, however Orlaith Conlon’s first-half strike followed by an audacious daisy-cutter from Ellen Molloy secured victory for the visitors. It was a night in which the driving wind and rain were certainly not lending themselves to free-flowing football, and both teams struggled to make their mark in the conditions not conductive to sports. It would be the girls from Wexford who imposed themselves on the game the most with their physicality and trickery making life difficult for Billy Clery’s side, however Wexford were fortunate to draw blood with their first notable chance. In the 16th minute, a well struck Ciara Rossiter cross following some strong build-up found the head of Aisling Frawley. Frawley showed a strong sense of awareness to head the ball into the path of the oncoming Conlon, who made no mistake with a simple conversion. Youthful left-back Shauna Brennan was one of the few bright sparks for Galway in an otherwise
dull first half, and her marauding runs down the flank made life difficult for the Wexford defence. In the 35th minute, such a run produced the host’s first chance, as Tessa Mullins snatched at a shot following a Brennan cross. The shot was ultimately tame and ended in Ciamh Gray’s gloves. Galway goalkeeper Amanda Budden was forced into action only moments later and made a strong save from a Sinead Taylor attempt. Molloy’s attempt came on the stroke of half-time, and it was a strike worthy of most stages. Following some pinball in the final third the ball came to Molloy about 25 yards out. Molloy has come in for plenty of acclaim this season and the deft first time touch to rifle the ball along the turf and into the bottom corner was a fine display of her class. After the changeover there seemed to be no shift in momentum, as the visitors kept the women in maroon under the cosh. Following a fine save to deflect behind by Amanda Budden, Savannah McCarthy had to be at her best to supply a goal-line clearance from the resulting corner and spare her side’s blushes. Chloe Singleton’s attempt was a signal that Galway were picking up the pace as the clock entered the 80th minute. Aoife Thompson used her head
to send the pacey Singleton on her way. The shot was well-struck, however defender Nicola Sinnott did enough to scramble the ball from the net and maintain the two-goal advantage. The hosts pressing up, left their rear-guard somewhat exposed, and Vanessa Ogbonna almost made it three. Budden did well to get a glove to it, and scrambled to take the ball after the initial dive. Ultimately it would matter little, as despite Galway’s best attempts, they would be leaving Eamonn Deacy Park for the final time this season empty-handed. Galway WFC: Amanda Budden, Shauna Brennan, Therese Kinnevey (Abbiegayle Ronayne 90’), Aoife Lynagh (Kate Slevin 60’), Savannah McCarthy, Lynsey McKey (Rachel Baynes 60’), Tessa Mullins, Chloe Singleton, Jamie Turrentine (Ellerose O’Flaherty 60’), Aoife Thompson. Wexford Youths: Kiev Gray, Orlaith Conlon, Edel Kennedy, Ciara Rossiter, Nicola Sinnott, Lynn Craven (Breda Cushen 70’), Aisling Frawley (Kira Bates-Crosbie 70’), Kylie Murphy (Aoibheann Clancy 46’), Lauren Kelly (Vanessa Ogbonna 60’), Ellen Molloy; Sinead Taylor (Blessing Kingsley 60’). Referee: Katie Hall.
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Galway United welcome new faces for 2021 By Oisín Bradley Former Waterford United attacker Mikie Rowe has signed for Galway United. The 2020 season may barely be over, however Galway United are not standing still, with Wexford native Rowe joining John Caulfield’s charges in Eamonn Deacy Park. Fresh off his return from his spells in America, Rowe has committed to the club for the 2021 League of Ireland First Division campaign. Rowe was heralded as a versatile attacker who could play in a multitude of positions, and Caulfield will likely be looking to capitalise on his versatility as he and the rest of the men in maroon aim for the top flight of Irish football in 2022. An impressive spell in college football in America saw him catch the eye of USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta, and he will be likely be seen as a valuable recruit by the Galway faithful in the off-season. According to fleet-footed attacker Rowe, a simple conversation with the energetic Caulfield left him with no doubt on where he wanted to ply his trade next season.
“After speaking to John (Caulfield), I had no doubts, this is the place I wanted to be. John’s vision of where he wants the club to go and the vision I have for myself are very much in line, so it was a no-brainer to sign. “One of my traits is I’m versatile, I like playing as a striker, maybe a number 10 or on either wing, but that’s up to John, I like to play anywhere across the front four. I enjoy playing with freedom and mobility.” Galway will have high hopes of making it through the ranks in the upcoming year, however the 24-year-old is relishing the opportunity to take the weight of the jersey on his shoulders and run with it. “I’m at an age and stage in my career now where I want to take the pressure on my back and be involved in getting this club back to the Premier Division. Looking around at the stadium and the facilities, this is not a First Division club. Galway United should be in the Premier Division and that’s where we all want to go, and I’m excited to be a part of that.” Rowe is amongst a number of new faces in the dressing room for 2021, as John Caulfield looks to assemble a squad in his image in his first full season in the home dugout.
