GALWAY United might be better off trying to play their final home game of the season this Friday behind closed doors, given their habit of producing performances which fail to match the pre-match hype, but instead they are hoping to pack the place out for the Connacht derby visit of Sligo Rovers (7.45pm).

There is a general sense of disappointment around the place after the last two games has seen United concede an injury-time equaliser to Dundalk a fortnight ago, followed by an defeat away to St Pat’s last Friday that probably ends their hopes of European qualification.

United manager John Caulfield baulked at such talk, insisting that there were likely to still be some twists and turns before the end of the season in a week’s time. Leaving that aside, Friday’s game is being marketed as a chance for the United players and fans to combine for a mutual love-in, a thanks from one to the other (and vice-versa) for a brilliant return to the top-flight after a long, long six year absence.

“We want the big crowd to say thanks to them, and hopefully we can give them a big performance. We can’t underestimate these nights, we haven’t had these big nights in years. This season has been good, we just need one last effort for our last home game.

“The last two games of the season, there will be points dropped everywhere, we just have to keep our focus and play to the end and see where it gets us. We are on the outside of the pack, but we have to prepare for Friday night.

“We have our last home game, Sligo Rovers in the Connacht derby – what a game. Our fans have been incredible, especially over the last three or four games, and we are hoping for a massive turnout and hopefully we can give a performance to send them home happy,” Caulfield told Tribune Sport.

While obviously disappointed at the result in Inchicore last Friday night, the United manager agreed that the final result was the only area of disappointment, as he couldn’t have asked for any more from his players.

“Our fans appreciated that they [the players] left everything on the pitch, and if you do that, you just have to say well done to the opposite. Overall, it [defeat] wasn’t from the [lack of] effort, we know we have certain areas to improve, but at the same time, the players can only give everything they have, and they did that.

“No one gave us a chance, yet we went into half-time 1-0 down and we definitely should have been 1-1. In the second-half we were doing well and then gave a goal away, we had a few close shaves at the end, but it just wasn’t to be,” he said.

Pictured: Galway United goalkeeper Brendan Clarke who made a series of top class saves in their Premier Division defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park last Friday night.