O’Connor says United fans deserve better from players
Galway United interim manager Gary O’Connor expects a vastly improved performance at Eamonn Deacy Park this Friday night when United host Shelbourne (7.45pm) in the side’s first game since the departure of Shane Keegan as manager.
O’Connor says United’s performances have not been good enough this season, a situation which cost Keegan his job on Monday of last week, but the Mervue native says the players also have to take some responsibility for United’s poor form this season – they go into Friday’s game looking for a first win in six outings.
“We have been poor this season, and that cost Shane his job, but the players had a part to play in that as well. I think they do realise that, and to be fair, the attitude has been very good in training this week since we returned from the midseason break,” O’Connor told Tribune Sport.
United have gone from challenging for the title to sitting two places outside the play-offs after a run of result which saw them take just two points from a possible 15, with draws against Wexford and Cobh Ramblers and defeats to Drogheda United, Longford Town, and Finn Harps.
In fairness to Keegan, he had a rotten run of luck in terms of injuries in that five-game stretch, and O’Connor says the outlook is not much better for Friday night.
Goalkeeper, Tadhg Ryan, looks to have recovered from a quad injury and has a chance of featuring on Friday night, but Robbie Williams (calf), Alan Murphy (ribs), and Danny Furlong (hamstring) all remain doubts.
“Danny has returned to training, but its looking like he will only make the bench at best for Friday. Murphs pulled up in training on Tuesday after about 45 minutes with his rib injury, so this game night come too soon for him; and Robbie looks like he won’t make it either,” O’Connor says.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.