It's party time for Galway United after play-off win
Date Published: 03-Nov-2010
Bray Wanderers 0
Keith Kelly at
Terryland Park
“WE are staying up, say we are staying up” – the Galway United fans sang it in unison at the final whistle, and the players posted it all over their Facebook profiles after Karl Sheppard’s 16th minute strike in Tuesday’s Premier Division play-off saw the Tribesmen secure their top flight status for another season.
It was a fully deserved win as United were the better side throughout, and they could have won by more only for some poor shooting and what, at first sight, appears to have been a wrong offside decision to rule out a second-half Sheppard strike.
In a way, it is a pity the season is now over for United as an enthralling game saw Terryland’s biggest crowd of the season leave on a high after a frenetic encounter which also saw two players – one from each side – sent off in the final 10 minutes.
Bray now prepare for a two-leg relegation/promotion play-off with Monaghan United for the right to play in the Premier Division next season, while United’s plans are far more appealing, with the management and squad gathering for an end-of-season party this weekend.
The celebrations are thoroughly deserved too for a bunch of players who delivered on the main goal of staying in the top flight after another chaotic season for the club which saw manager Sean Connor forced to release a number of players midway through the season due to financial constraints.
There were times during the season when the squad played without getting paid, and even on a night of celebration on Tuesday, it was disappointing to see players being told their wages were not ready for collection after the game.
That is a serious issue which needs to be addressed ahead of the new season, and a hardcore of United fans are already taking steps in this direction, with the Galway United Supporters Trust increasing a fundraising and awareness drive in a bid to bring more money into the club, while also working hard to rebuild bridges between United and the local community.