Galway United suffered a poor start to the 2017 Premier Division campaign, but manager Shane Keegan has turned their fortunes around of late and based on current form it is only a matter of time until they escape the drop zone. It might not be champ
Galway United suffered a poor start to the 2017 Premier Division campaign, but manager Shane Keegan has turned their fortunes around of late and based on current form it is only a matter of time until they escape the drop zone.
It might not be championship-winning form, but the Tribesmen have picked up six points from their last five league matches. More important than their modest tally, however, is the fact they have started collecting points regularly, are unbeaten in their last four league matches and now have the priceless fuel of motivation in their engine.
Memorably, they earned a 2-1 win over reigning champions Dundalk at Eamonn Deacy Park at the end of April, and are showing the kind of spirit and determination that Keegan expects of his players.
That result over the Lilywhites went against the form books as it was their 10th attempt at earning a league win. But, while it surprised many, there can be little denying that it was long overdue.
Keegan has his team playing an attractive brand of football. Encouraging them to play the ball out of defence instead of playing kick-and-chase tactics, the Laois native has been building steadily towards something more long-term and sustainable on the banks of the river Corrib.
With a crucial home match against a resurgent Derry City outfit this evening, they have an opportunity to get out of the bottom three and keep their mini run going.
It’s vital that they get a result because they need to keep rolling while those around them stutter.
Of all the teams in the bottom half, the Corribsiders have picked up the third most amount of points from their last five, and are just off the pace of both Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United who have picked up two more points than them [eight apiece] in that window.
Pivotally, though, Keegan’s side are in far better shape than the relegation-threatened teams closest to them.
Both teams directly above them – St Patrick’s Athletic and Finn Harps – have amassed a mere three points in the same period. Pat’s are winless since the end of March, while Harps have picked up nothing outside a mid-April victory over a Derry team who were in clear disarray following the untimely passing of captain Ryan McBride.
If Galway can maintain course and outdo that pair until the mid-season break in June, then they will set themselves up to be out of the relegation zone quicker than many imagined a few weeks ago.
Following their clash against the Candystripes, United will have five league games until the two-week stoppage in fixtures. Outside of an away trip to league leaders Cork City at Turner’s Cross, they all look like eminently winnable games on current form.
Other signs that they have come together as a unit and are beginning to implement Keegan’s vision have come via their advancement to the semi-final stage of the EA Sports Cup thanks to a couple of solid displays as well as a dramatic penalty shootout win over Connacht rivals, Sligo.
Perhaps most striking of all is how they have brought their unbeaten run to six in all competitions – of all the top-flight clubs, only Cork [14 wins] can boast better. That tells its own story about where this team are going.
Trevor Murray
