Sports
Set-piece failings continue to haunt United
Galway United 1
Shamrock Rovers 2
Galway United’s failure to deal with set pieces cost them once again on Friday night – unless they address this weakness, and soon, then they could be on a fast-track back to the backwaters of the First Division next season.
Almost half of the goals United have conceded in the league this season have come from set-pieces – 15 of 31 goals, not including two penalties – and it was from two free-kicks that Shamrock Rovers scored on Friday night, enough to see them take all three points. After the game, team captain Ryan Connolly said the issue had “gne beyond a joke at this stage”.
United haven’t been helped by having to constantly chop and change their back four, while the position of goalkeeper was still very much open until the last couple of weeks. Conor Winn looks to have nailed down that jersey now, especially with the departure of Connor Gleeson last week. He didn’t get much protection from a couple of ball-watching team-mates on Friday night, so he needs to start demanding more from those in front of him as well as dominating his area.
Maybe United could do with some of the Garda dogs on duty at the ground on Friday night – goodness knows who those in charge of security were expecting to attend the game, but the sight of the Garda Dog Unit, and the effective ‘caging-in’ of the visiting supporters, appeared to be completely over the top.
United and Rovers fans have a good rapport, and I can’t remember any trouble between fans of the two clubs, especially in Galway. Other clubs, maybe, but not Rovers. Galway United has always had a welcome for other fans, let’s hope that welcome has not been tarnished by Friday’s heavy-handed display of security.
While those measures raised some eyebrows, so too did the decision to start new signing Colm O’Donovan on the left wing. The signing from Athenry FC had a disappointing debut before being hauled off at half-time, and you have to question the wisdom of throwing a junior league player into the fray against top-three opposition like Shamrock Rovers.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty
After almost matching one another stride for stride throughout the Premier Division campaign, the title chase is all but over as two wins in succession for Salthill Devon and two defeats for Athenry leaves the city side very much in command of their own destiny.
On Wednesday night in Loughrea, Devon made the perfect start with two goals in the opening 10 minutes as they ran out 3-1 winners over the home side. A Timmy Molloy corner set up Calym Crowe for a rare goal for the left full, before Darren Creaven got in on the act with a goal against his former side after being set up by an Alberto Cabanyes cross. The Spaniard notched the third on the resumption after getting on the end of a Molloy through ball.
The win has moved them a point ahead of Athenry and they still have three games left to play; and Seamie Crowe’s side lost for the second game in succession in midweek with a 1-0 defeat against Mervue United, to leave their title challenge out of their hands as they have just one game remaining. Jason Molloy got the second-half winner for the home side in Fahy’s Field.
PREMIER DIVISION
Athenry FC 1
Salthill Devon 2
When you beat Athenry three times in a season you know you have achieved something and such is the scenario for Salthill Devon as they took a huge step towards winning the Premier Division title with an away success on Sunday morning.
It was a must win game for the home side who led the table by five points, but the city side enjoyed two games in hand. A win for either side would send them on a clear path to the title and courtesy of a Vinny Faherty goal on the hour mark it is Devon who have the title within their grasp.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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HOME rule. Are you having a laugh? It simply doesn’t cut the mustard when the footballers of Galway and Roscommon clash in provincial finals. At least, that has been the unusual scenario in the counties’ last four Connacht deciders.
Between 2016 and ’19, the Tribesmen and the Rossies dominated the provincial football landscape, but neither team managed to record a title triumph on home soil. It makes one think that Galway are at a disadvantage at Pearse Stadium on Sunday (1.45pm) for the sides’ latest big championship collision.
Galway were at home in Salthill for the 2016 decider, but an Enda Smith goal helped Roscommon force a draw (0-13 to 1-10) before Kevin Walsh’s charges came out convincingly on top in the replay at MacHale Park, Castlebar (3-16 to 0-14) with Danny Cummins raising two of the winners’ green flags.
The 2017 showdown was also held at Pearse Stadium and the Rossies gained revenge on a 2-15 to 0-12 scoreline. Cian Connolly and Brian Stack were their goalscorers on a day the home team were a big disappointment.
Twelve months later Galway were turning the tables, this time at Dr Hyde Park. Again, they didn’t find the net in a 0-16 to 2-6 triumph, but eight points from Shane Walsh and three from Ian Burke more than compensated.
In 2019, the counties met in the Connacht Final for the fourth consecutive season. It was back to Salthill and Galway ought to have been braced for another mighty battle having failed to beat Roscommon in the deciders of 2016 and ’17 at the same venue.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Connacht men’s Masters hockey team had a challenging weekend in Lisnagarvey Hockey Club at the Over-55 Men’s Masters Interprovincial Hockey tournament. Travelling north without their midfield general, Neil Kearns, they always knew that they would be up against it – Kearns, from Circular Road in the city, saw action with the Ireland Masters Over 55s in Italy recently, and his absence was a big blow to the westerners.
First up on Saturday morning was a tough battle with Ulster, who ran out convincing winners, despite a superb display in goals from Martin White and tough defending by Sean O’Fiachain.
Connacht lost Pat Boylan to injury and were down to just two substitutes for the two remaining matches. With very warm, energy-sapping weather, this shortage of fresh legs on the bench was to prove costly for the men of the west.
Next up was a highly competitive Leinster team, featuring Rob Johnson of Roundstone, currently training with Galway Hockey Club, but whose home club is Three Rock Rovers in Dublin.
Glencorrib’s Alan Stephens gave a tremendous performance in midfield; while his brother-in-law, Mike Swan, opened Connacht’s account in the second quarter with a skillful tap from a nearly impossible angle, despite intense pressure from the Leinster keeper.
Leinster, however, managed to reach the interval 2-1 ahead. Another super strike from Mike Swan gave Connacht some hope, but the boys in blue closed out a 5-2 victory.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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