United's 12-year unbeaten run against Harps is ended

Galway United 0

MAYBE it is just as well that, with league fixtures being postponed because of Irish clubs in European competition, Galway United are not in action every week, given the level of performance on Friday night.

A poor match between two average sides, it means United have now gone more than two months since their last victory – a 2-1 win away to Bray Wanderers on May 14 – as a temporary mid-season slump is starting to take on the look of something more permanent.

United didn’t have a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes, and with too many players well off the required mark, they got what they deserved against a part-time outfit operating on a smaller budget, even if the home side were no great shakes either.

There was no urgency, no passion, no bite, and against limited but physical opponents, if you fail to bring those qualities to the table, then you’re going to find yourself staring at an empty plate.

They have another weekend off now, as Cork City’s European foray this Thursday night means the league fixture in Turners Cross has been postponed. United need to use that time to get whatever it is that has them looking so ordinary in the last two months – after an excellent start to the season – out of their system and start afresh when Wexford Youths visit Eamonn Deacy Park on July 22.

Tommy Dunne made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Bohemians a fortnight earlier, with Alex Byrne injured, and John Sullivan having left the club. Padraic Cunningham got the nod up front alongside Vinny Faherty; while Jose Garcia was handed his debut, partnering Ryan Connolly in the heart of midfield.

The first chance of the game fell to United when Kevin Devaney was played onside by Josh Mailey as he chased a long ball out of defence by Stephen Folan in the 9th minute. The winger sent a deep cross to the back post, which was headed down by Colm Horgan for Cunningham, but the ball bounced as he went to hit it, and his effort flew over the crossbar.

Neither keeper had a save to make in that opening half an hour, though any scares that came were in the Harps’ penalty area. Cunningham tried to turn provider in the 19th minute after Kilian Cantwell’s ball over the top sent him clear.

He worked his way into the box before trying to pick out Faherty, but Tom McMonagle stole in to nick the ball off his toe at the expense of a corner; and Harps had McMonagle to thank again for denying United in the 32nd minute.

Full coverage in this week's Connacht Tribune.