United face biggest challenge with Shamrock Rovers visit

Galway United Women's Lynsey McKey - playing some of the best football of her career.

Galway United Women's Lynsey McKey - playing some of the best football of her career.

Galway United face a big challenge this Saturday when they host a star-studded Shamrock Rovers side in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division at Eamonn Deacy Park (5pm ).

Galway should enter the contest brimming with confidence on the back of two away victories. After downing champions Shelbourne in Tolka Park, United took the scalp of President's Cup winners Athlone Town last Wednesday.

Manager, Phil Trill, buoyant after the wins, says the wins had not come out of the blue.

"I felt we should have got something from the Wexford game. We played really well away to Cork in the first half. We played really well against Bohs, and a freak error cost us.

"Within the camp we have just been focusing on performances. We believed if we put in performances, we could win. The group has so much talent between players and coaching staff."

Despite being only five games into the season, only 15 remain in this condensed season.

As such, each game takes on added significance. There may be few more important than the arrival of Rovers who will boast decorated internationals such as Áine O'Gorman, who is bound for the World Cup in Australia this summer.

She has a strong supporting cast of young stars such as Abbie Larkin, who also featured in Vera Pauw's most recent squad, Jaime Thompson and Jessica Hennessy.

Trill is keenly aware of the task ahead, but remains bullish.

"Rovers are a big test. Rovers were everyone's favourites for the league at the start of the season. We know they carry a big threat, but we won't fear anybody. We have a lot of experience and a lot of talent."

"We have played five games, and 19 of our 22 senior players have had game time. There is a lot of quality in the group. We currently have four players away on U19 international duty, and we have added well. Gemma McGuinness has come in and added real experience. Lynsey McKey is playing some of the best football of her career, and our foreign recruits have been stellar additions."

United will undoubtedly need another squad effort to make an impression on Collie O'Neill's undefeated Rovers' side which has the title very firmly in its sights. A strong home backing would do wonders to lift the United towards another famous result.

 

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