Terry
12/11/2004, 6:57 AM
Having drawn three consecutive games, Galway United make the short journey to the ramshackle St Mel's Park for the penultimate league game of an erratic season.
While some might argue that United ought to have gleaned a hat-trick of straight victories, the harsh reality is that United's lack of creativity is a lingering problem.
John Russell's vision lit up Terryland Park for the first 20 minutes last Friday evening, but it would be unwise to place such a heavy burden on the Moycullen youngster prematurely.
As expected Tony Mannion placed a real emphasis on experimentation against Monaghan United last Friday. A string of youngsters featured in the squad as the club begins its preparation for a sustained promotion assault next season. Russell was the main protagonist for the home side, but once Monaghan settled, the encounter was delicately balanced.
The most demoralising aspect was United's failure to fashion goalscoring opportunities. Damien Dupuy's skill was conspicuously absent in an attack in which Davie O'Dowd and Barry Moran were starved of possession.
Yet Mannion will have taken some positives from the match. Dave Cooke's education continued as the Kingston teenager showed deft touches on the right before slotting in comfortably at right full. Former Leeds United youngster Luke Byrne made his league debut, while the pacey Padraic Lee is a player of glimmering promise.
Despite self destructing against Finn Harps in Terryland some weeks ago, United have been competitive in the majority of games. Athlone defeated United in the midlands earlier this season in what was a catastrophic result for the Westerners.
Despite not attaining promotion, manager Mannion's passion for the domestic game is unwavering. While Barry Moran and Gary Fitzgerald might be deserving of more playing time, the United supremo will be eager to return from his hometown armed with three points.
* A supporters' bus to Friday's Eircom League game between Galway United and Athlone Town in St Mels Park will depart from Kate's Bar, Galway Shopping Centre at 5pm. To book telephone Ronan 087-6972823.
While some might argue that United ought to have gleaned a hat-trick of straight victories, the harsh reality is that United's lack of creativity is a lingering problem.
John Russell's vision lit up Terryland Park for the first 20 minutes last Friday evening, but it would be unwise to place such a heavy burden on the Moycullen youngster prematurely.
As expected Tony Mannion placed a real emphasis on experimentation against Monaghan United last Friday. A string of youngsters featured in the squad as the club begins its preparation for a sustained promotion assault next season. Russell was the main protagonist for the home side, but once Monaghan settled, the encounter was delicately balanced.
The most demoralising aspect was United's failure to fashion goalscoring opportunities. Damien Dupuy's skill was conspicuously absent in an attack in which Davie O'Dowd and Barry Moran were starved of possession.
Yet Mannion will have taken some positives from the match. Dave Cooke's education continued as the Kingston teenager showed deft touches on the right before slotting in comfortably at right full. Former Leeds United youngster Luke Byrne made his league debut, while the pacey Padraic Lee is a player of glimmering promise.
Despite self destructing against Finn Harps in Terryland some weeks ago, United have been competitive in the majority of games. Athlone defeated United in the midlands earlier this season in what was a catastrophic result for the Westerners.
Despite not attaining promotion, manager Mannion's passion for the domestic game is unwavering. While Barry Moran and Gary Fitzgerald might be deserving of more playing time, the United supremo will be eager to return from his hometown armed with three points.
* A supporters' bus to Friday's Eircom League game between Galway United and Athlone Town in St Mels Park will depart from Kate's Bar, Galway Shopping Centre at 5pm. To book telephone Ronan 087-6972823.