QuoteImportant we win it.We owe Athlone a beating this year and Sunday is a must deliever.Wonder how many the "mad as mass on Sunday" are bringing?
FRom this weeks Galway Advertiser:
United host Athlone in vital clash on Sunday
BY CIAN O’CONNELL
It is getting interesting now. Galway United’s season has entered a critical phase and Sunday evening’s Terryland Park contest with Athlone Town is a highly significant fixture.
United have only managed to glean four points out of a possible 12 and must deliver a victory against an Athlone Town outfit that has struggled in the League recently. The midlanders have lost six First Division matches on the bounce, but worryingly they have defeated Galway twice this season. Indeed, Athlone will be encouraged by last Tuesday’s thrilling extra-time FAI Carlsberg Cup success over Finn Harps.
On May 25 Jim Sheridan thumped a venomous header to the roof of the United net in an interesting Cup tie, while a matter of weeks later Colin Fortune rifled an unstoppable last gasp free kick past Alan Gough. That was a harrowing evening for United, who improved considerably for a spell after that shoddy performance.
United stitched a five game unbeaten sequence together in the aftermath of that reversal, but the setbacks against Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk could be critical. Despite these two crushing losses United still produced a splendid display against reigning Premier Division champions, Cork City last Friday.
Though Ronan Frawley, Mixie Harty, Derek O’Brien and Alan Murphy didn’t feature due to injury, Tony Cousins’ charges were neat and industrious. Frannie Carter was thoughtful in the centre of the park, while Dave Cooke’s energy on the left flank was a salient aspect in United’s play.
The four who missed the City friendly should all be available on Sunday as manager Cousins faces a selection dilemma. Alan Keane is suspended so either Nigel Keady, Ronan Frawley or Raf Cretaro will deputise at right full.
Wes Charles is Billy Clery’s likely sidekick at centre half, while Cousins has a plethora of midfield options. Cooke, O’Brien, Cretaro, Harty, Mick O’Donnell and Frannie Carter are all in contention for a starting berth.
Conor Gethins netted his first goal in a Galway shirt against Cork when ruthlessly punishing some defensive hesitancy, and United supporters will trust that the former Finn Harps frontrunner can add to his tally as the season progresses. Murphy provides the intricate footballing skills for a United team that will be especially eager to overturn the Town.
Athlone will miss the cute midfield skill of the suspended Damien Rushe, but former United players Robert Forde, Ian Rossiter, Tom Silke, Stevie Gavin, Colin Fortune, and Eric Lavine are all currently with the midlanders. Manager Mickey O’Connor has enjoyed many fruitful outings against Galway throughout the years and will be reasonably confident that Athlone can arrest their alarming League slide on the Dyke Road. The stakes will be high in Terryland Park for the homesters. Only victory will suffice if the title remains the club’s aspiration.
Important we win it.We owe Athlone a beating this year and Sunday is a must deliever.Wonder how many the "mad as mass on Sunday" are bringing?
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"Cause Galway are MASSIVE"-RW Rover on 24/8/07 00:29am
Between the time and day of the game(Students travelling back to College for Monday), Stuttgart, the next round of the Cup(it could be a long way to Derry) and the stick and ball final we have lost quite a few who would have travelled.
About 20 Cootes will be there for the singing and banter along with all the usual that drive down. I would say that we would have 100+ hopefully.
Looking forward to the game as usual. Hopefully not as bad to watch as the previous league encounters this season.
league game in terryland earlier in the season.2 guys i use to drag to the games were so traumitised by that game that they have barely been back since.its wins that count from here on in though,so if we get a winning scrappy goal in 93rd minute of a boring game then it wont be so bad.but we have enough relatively quality players that we shouldnt need to "win ugly".
Yeah we definitely owe them a serious beating. the last two times i have been in St. Mels have been two of the worst nights i've ever experienced as a galway united fan. two disgraceful results and performances but hopefully we can pull it together for sunday and take the three points.
from galwayunitedfc.ie::
Alan Keane is suspended for the trip of near neighbours Athlone Town. With Raf Cretaro back from injury he may fill in for Keane or Ronan Frawley may slot in at right back with Billy Clery partnering Wes Charles in defence.
from athlonetownfc.com::
ATHLONE TOWN manager Michael O'Connor speaks to athlonetownfc.com after his side's 3 - 2 FAI Cup win against Finn Harps midweek, and ahead of this Sunday League game away to Galway United.
Along with the drawn first game, the victory against Harps ended a six game losing streak - a run that started against the Donegal men back on July 22nd when Athlone went down 2 - 0 in Ballybofey.
"It was an important win for everyone. It broke the back of six defeats, and that was important.
"I think in the first half we didn't play at all. But at least in the second half and extra time we did ourselves a bit of credit. I was very impressed with their fitness and their attitude to be honest."
That attitude saw Athlone keep battling until they retook the lead in the 116th minute of the game, when Damien Rushe fired past James Gallagher.
"That's the one thing, they kept battling away as always. And as I say, I was very happy with their fitness levels.
"Now that the back of the loses is broken, there are still 13 games left in the League, starting with Galway on Sunday. Let's see how we can get on with those, and now we also have the quarter-finals of the Cup to look forward to. Again, this is all a learning thing, we're progressing. It's going to take a while and won't happen over night," he concluded."
Athlone have already beaten and drawn with United in the League this season, as well as knocking the Tribesmen out of the Cup, so will have nothing to feat ahead of their trip to Terryland Park. Kick-off on Sunday evening is at 7:00pm.
Salthill/Knocknacarra Gaa Official Website- http://www.salthillknocknacarragaa.ie/
I can't believe this, I thought the game was over, Athlone after getting what must be the latest equaliser ever, what a disaster
Last edited by JW.; 03/09/2006 at 8:10 PM.
gutted! reilly sent off early in the game for what i believe was a head butt, didnt see it.athlone 'fans' are the worst in the country - cursing their own players for 80mins and then they score - typical! united did good for a ten man team, but were totally outplayed in the second half.
cracker from raf, outside the box and tooks it in just inside forde's post. one of the best goals of the season.
if we had held out we'd only be two points off top, still the draw leaves us 4th and 4points behind, still all to play for. a win against kildare next weekend will keep us looking strong for the final eleven games
Last edited by GalwayFrancis; 03/09/2006 at 9:09 PM.
Salthill/Knocknacarra Gaa Official Website- http://www.salthillknocknacarragaa.ie/
from Rte Sport::
Lavine grabs a late equaliser for Athlone
Eric Lavine grabbed an 85th minute equaliser as Athlone Town ended a run of six successive League defeats at Terryland Park to draw 1-1 with Galway United.
The home side played some neat football in the opening period and pinched a 12th minute goal courtesy of impressive right winger, Raf Cretaro.
Alan Murphy slid the ball into Cretaro's path and the former
Sligo Rovers favourite evaded Padraig Moran's tackle before unleashing a 30-yard drive past Robert Forde.
Galway continued to pour forward in search of further goals and Derek O'Brien fizzed a free kick wide moments later. O'Brien went close again when he thumped a header over following a crisp Cretaro delivery.
Barry Moran glanced a header over after a Philip Reilly corner as
Galway attempted to double the lead. Yet, the Tribesmen were reduced to ten men just after the half hour mark when Reilly was dismissed following an altercation with Ian Rossiter.
Despite the numerical inferiority Galway still carved out chances with goalscorer Cretaro forcing a fine save from Forde, while O'Brien also tested the visitors' netminder.
Few opportunities were created after the interval and five minutes from time Lavine bundled home Stevie Gavin's corner much to the delight of the travelling support.
Salthill/Knocknacarra Gaa Official Website- http://www.salthillknocknacarragaa.ie/
sorry the athlone fans that were in terryland today, were the worst ive seen this season. i know there are some decent athlone fans, but they didnt come to terryland tonight and if they did - they should of told their fellow fans to shut up.Originally Posted by Battery Rover
Salthill/Knocknacarra Gaa Official Website- http://www.salthillknocknacarragaa.ie/
Athlone jinx strikes again. When we will beat them again? Utd were doing well until O'Reilly got himself needlessly sent off for aiming a head butt at Rossiter after Utd had won the throw in. This is the third or fourth time this season that we have conceded late goals at home. Cousins got booked as well. We need to improve our disciplinary record.
On the point of Athlone fans behaviour at the game some of them took the trouble to write some graffiti in the gents toilets during the halftime interval.
We have two appalling records this season: discipline and late goals. How many games have we won because of a late winner? Why is this happening?
I got hammered earlier in the season for suggesting some of the players weren't up to the required standard. The reality is that Phil Reilly sold his team mates down the river last night. After receiving his first yellow card, the manager was on his feet roaring at him to be careful. Unfortunately, his fears only took a few minutes to be realised.
The stuff hurled at Rossiter and Lavine (both of whom served the club well when they were here) makes the criticism of the Athlone supporters above a bit rich, although they were a pretty sad bunch. And if the allegation about the graffitti is true, then they deserve to be panned.
Finally, although it won't suit some of you to accept this, the reality is the two ex Sligo boys were absolutely brilliant last night & without them, we'd never have held on.
On the athlone board you said that you're a stewart and were standing right next to the Athlone fans. In that case you should know that there was indeed athlone fans that did not curse their own players. Infact tried to push them forward. We were standing in the two rows above the seated rows in case you missed us. Whats the story with things being thrown at our bus when leaving the ground though? Guess you wont be mentioning that as it may harm your all so innocent image..... you are right in saying though that those people who did go on cursing our players and standing right next to the pitch were embarassing.
Rossiter dived, Reilly pressed his face against his and Rossiter dived. To call it a head butt would be exaggerating.That said Reilly should've known better. I thought the decision to take Murphs off instead of Moran was strange. Depressing result but the lads did well for a team down to 10 men for most of the game.
I cant remember Athlone bringing such a vociferous crowd to Terryland before. Fair play to them for adding a bit of atmosphere. I'm not condoning writing on the jacks wall but its hardly Green Street Hooligans.The officials and security should lighten up a bit with our own "ULTRAS" too.
Last night Rossiter was getting a little abuse at half time nothing that you wouldnt hear at any football ground around the country. I know the club want to attract families but sending 8 or nine stewards and security rushing up into the crowd over nothing is only going to make people think something dangerous is happening.
I have been following United for a long time and I have never seen a United fan involved in a fight or anything close, yet there seems to be a perception among some in the clubhouse that there is a "scum element".This is completely unfounded.
There are a number of supporters who dedicate their lungs to United's cause and for this reason they are singled out as scum.On occasions the chanting may not be gentlemanly but football is about passion and United fans are passionate about their football. So for god's sake lighten up a little
Reilly got a needless straight red for reacting to Rossiter. Rossiter
ceratinly made the most of it and certainly helped the officials make up
their minds.
We lack quality in depth and have nobody to take control of the game. We need 90 minutes from every player and not just glimpses.
Athlone were never going to score from open play and lived off set pieces.
Once again we failed to defend these.
Thought Murphs should have stayed on, at least he could hold the ball up better and could have gone out right later on in the game with O'Dowd or Gethins upfront.
Alan Keane was a big loss as Keady struggled to get forward and O'Donnell did not look comfortable at left back when he came on.
Last edited by Tribesman; 04/09/2006 at 11:05 AM.
GuisaSaigon, Think all of your points are very fair and well made.
Like you, I've been going up to Terryland for a very long time. Rossiter is no angel, what depressed me was that Reilly fell in to the trap.
Also, I just don't agree with abusing players - especially if they've played for us in the past. I'd much rather try to give our own guys as much vocal support as they can get.
The "we love you Rossiter" chant after he had misplaced a couple of passes early in the second half was much more my cup of tea and genuinely funny. Those of us on that side of the ground could see that he got the joke as well.
the game last night was depressing as it usually is when we play athlone. the linesman was an absolute disgrace for when phillip o reilly got sent off. philip looked over at the linesman and he was flagging a throw for us. at that point philip picked the ball up and was going to take the throw and then all of a sudden the linesman changes his mind after looking at the ref. phillip had no idea that the linesman had changed his mind and rossi tried to pry the ball from his hands. that being said nobody can condone philip sticking his head in like that but it could hardly be called a headbutt. rossi's theatrics helped the ref make up his mind though.
I think that taking murphs off and leaving Barry on was a disgraceful decision as i think he now lacks any ambition whatsoever to play for the club and he looked at times like he just didnt want to be there.
All in all a bad night in terryland and another slip up.by the end of the season these slip ups are gonna cost us dearly and i can only hope that we can get high enough to somehow pinch a place in the new top tier next season
have to agree with your last point there - draw merchants we are
more water!
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