May is a crucial month for Galway United Women’s squad, with five fixtures scheduled, including a huge home league game against reigning champions Athlone Town, as well as back-to-back away trips to Lisburn Rangers in the All-Island Cup and Tolka Park to face Shelbourne.
The Tribeswomen have started this season like a house on fire with six consecutive victories, winning five from five in the league along with a fantastic 4-0 win over Peamount United in the opening fixture of the All-Ireland Cup, as Phil Trill’s side look to win the competition for the third time in four seasons.
After a tough league opener away to DLR Waves in which a second-half Isabella Beletic goal sealed all three points for Galway, the ladies picked up a fantastic 2-1 win over Sligo Rovers in the Connacht derby courtesy of a Ceola Bergin brace, before grinding out another 2-1 victory at home to Wexford thanks to a late winner from Emma Doherty after Aoibheann Costello had levelled the game just after half-time.
That cup win over Peamount followed, before back-to-back trips to Limerick and Cork in the league saw the Tribeswomen pick up a 2-0 win over Treaty United (Bergin and Doherty on the scoresheet), and a 3-0 victory in Turners Cross thanks to an excellent Doherty hat-trick
Speaking to Maroon View, Trill said: “We had a really good pre-season, getting the squad settled in early and building up our physical strength and fitness. Our medical department has been fantastic, we are really lucky with them and how much they work with all the players on their individual programmes and athletic development. So by the time we got to January, we felt we were in a better space than perhaps the last two or three years – we’ve often gotten off to good starts, but now we need to ensure we maintain consistency.”
Bergin and Doherty have been prolific so far for Galway with five goals apiece in all competitions, and Trill has been impressed not only with his forward pair, but also the contributions of the likes of Aoibheann Costello and Aoibhín Donnelly, which have created a highly fluid and dynamic attack for his side this season.
“There’s loads of flexibility in the front line, which is fantastic to see. Any one of those players can play in any of the positions across the front four, they are fluid, and they understand where each other needs to be. The likes of Cara Griffin have come in there as well and played really well across the front line, not to mention our captain (Lynsey McKey) getting her first start and picking up a couple of assists.
We added defensively in pre-season, and that has allowed our midfielders and forwards to really continue gelling and working together.”
Donegal native Emma Doherty has been in scintillating form for United so far this season – that hat-trick making her the second top-scorer in the League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division after five games played, helping her side go top of the table heading into a busy May period with five games scheduled across both the league and the All-Ireland Cup.
Like Trill, Doherty is delighted with the Tribeswomen’s start to the season, and as much as her and her teammates are taking each game as it comes, it’s clear that this tight-knit unit are enjoying their football together and the hard work they’ve put in is certainly paying off at this early stage.
“It’s a really good feeling, that was my first hat-trick in the League of Ireland and for Galway as well, I’ve been looking to score more goals this season and to be able to help the team make it five wins from five games was great.”
This current Galway squad contains a mix of domestic and international players as well blending skill with experience, and Trill says that this has also been a focus area coming into the new season. While international players like Beletic and Remini Tillotson (both USA) have brought in overseas experience along with the likes of Niamh Farrelly, Roma McLoughlin and Aislinn Meaney who also spent time playing abroad, blending this mix of Galway/West of Ireland natives along with players from the likes of Dublin, Cork, Tipperary, Cavan etc has created a strong dynamic and culture within the squad.
“We’ve definitely broadened our catchment. You look at the local players and a lot have come through our academy or previously with Galway WFC, the likes of Aoibheann Costello, Kate Thompson, and Eve Dossen have been the backbone of this team for a couple of years. Then combine that with players we have from along the West Coast plus those from Dublin, Cork, etc. – that’s kind of the balance that we’ve gone for.”
Not forgetting that Trill has shown a clear willingness to trust in younger players who have come through the academy, with the likes of Ava Mullins, Heather Loomes, Emily Fitzgerald, Anna McGough and most recently Ana Conway (just 15 years old) all enjoying training and first-team experience at Galway in recent times.
While the future is bright for Galway, Trill remains very much grounded and taking each game as it comes rather than getting carried away with what may come later down the line.
“We won’t look too far ahead, we are literally focused on the next game which is the most important part of it. We do have a difficult spell, back-to-back away games which is difficult for full-time professionals, which we’re not. May is exam time, historically a lot of these factors have played into us maybe dipping in this period. But I’m confident of where we are, there’s a real hunger and a real drive to achieve something special here.”
Galway United finish out May with two home games against Athlone Town and DLR Waves, and Trill is calling on the Maroon Army to get out in numbers and show their support for these high-flying Tribeswomen.
“We need a big crowd behind us in Eamonn Deacy Park, that’s what’s going to drive us on. Athlone Town are the reigning league champions and they’re coming to our place. A rocking crowd behind us will make all the difference.”
Paul Madden 