Having started the season with serious promotion aspirations, the harsh reality of a sobering mid-table joust is what awaits the players of Dundalk and Galway United in Oriel Park this evening (7.45pm).
Unfortunately United have performed erratically this term and last weekend's capitulation was a harrowing experience for the players who were dismantled by an impressive Finn Harps.
United's lack of aggression in midfield is the main reason why the club will be playing in the first division next season. United lost their shape and direction before totally collapsing against Harps.
It was a cruel evening for Galwegians. Though Nigel Keady and Davie O'Dowd battled vigorously throughout, few of their colleagues accepted responsibility against the table-toppers. Why Barry Moran was left on the bench was baffling, considering so many of the starting 11 have repeatedly flattered to deceive.
Unfortunately the canyon sized void that emerged once Frannie Carter left the team has yet to be filled. Mark Herrick continues to be troubled by injury, while Colin Fortune, despite a resilient performance against UCD, was completely eclipsed in the past few games. The ineffectual Adrian Carberry has failed to contribute in the past fortnight also as United continue to slip into mid-table mediocrity.
Two seasons ago Alan Murphy and Moran inspired the Tribesmen in a memorable play-off success against Harps, but clearly United have failed to build on that reasonable season. United now need to regroup and the ever competitive Tony Mannion will be eager that his charges can summon a positive performance against Dundalk.
Despite recruiting heavily, Dundalk struggled in the early weeks of the season and have been unable to stitch a sequence of favourable results together. They lost in Cobh last Saturday and United should pinch a victory in Oriel Park. Skipper Keady, Mixie Harty, Damien Dupuy, and Moran may emerge as key protagonists tonight.
