After a winter overhaul of their squad, it has been a season of ups and down for Galway United so far.
Galway United currently sit seventh in the table on 21 points, 10 points clear of bottom side Waterford and two clear of Connaught rivals Sligo Rovers in the relegation play off place, having played a game less.
John Caulfield’s men have been competitive and consistent in most games, but the story of their season so far has undoubtedly been the concession of a number of costly late goals.
Pre-Season Expectations
With a huge turnover in players over the winter window that saw 14 new players join and 10 depart, it is safe to say that there was an air of uncertainty over how this Galway team would gel.
There was also a lot of the new singings that lacked Premier Division experience, with almost half of them coming from outside the league.
After a poor run of results at the back end of last season, following the loss of talisman Moses Dyer and the tragic death of assistant manager Ollie Horgan, there was a real danger of the club being unable to break out of the downward spiral.
Some preseason predictions were bleak with many expecting a relegation battle and a bottom half finish.
Early Season Form
The season started with a disappointing home loss to Drogheda, where after being the better of the sides Galway conceded a late goal losing 1-0.
They backed this up however with a credible 1-1 draw away to Shelbourne and crucially a 1-0 derby win over Sligo Rovers.
However, United would then only take a single point from their next three games, conceding decisive goals in the last 10 minutes of each game.
They bounced back with a frantic 4-3 win over bottom side Waterford, which stabilised the team and saw them lose just two of their next six games.
The Story of the Season So Far
The story of the season so far for the Tribesmen has most definitely been the sheer number of games they have dropped points in late on.
They’ve conceded a staggering 10 goals after the 80th minute in just 18 league games, with the majority of these goals deciding the result of that respective match.
At the other end of the pitch the emergence of new signing Kris Twardek and his impressive six goals and four assists have been a massive positive for John Caulfield.
His pace and power have given Galway the outlet up front that they have so sorely missed since the departure of Moses Dyer.
This combined with the steady return to fitness of fellow winter signing Frantz Peirrot, who has three goals from just over 450 minutes of league football, gives Galway potentially a very potent strike force provided they can be kept fit.
Photo taken by Cian Kelly
Second Half Outlook
There is no doubt that with only two points separating them from the relegation play off place, Galway United are by no means out of danger and could easily slide down the table with a run of poor results.
That said they are also only seven points behind Dundalk in fourth and with the “anyone can beat anyone” attitude that the league seems to have adopted the last few years then a rise up the table also can’t be ruled out.
Most Galway fans would accept that at this stage a European push is extremely unlikely but that consolidating another mid table finish after such upheaval to the squad would represent a successful season back in the Premier Division.
Most of Galway United’s winter recruitment worked out and if they could add another one or two more this summer that would certainly strengthen John Caulfield’s options.
Especially a more physical number six, that could make the Galway midfield more dominant in the air and a greater threat from set pieces.
Player of The Season So Far
Without a doubt Kris Twardek has been Galway’s standout player, the Canadian winger has added much needed pace and power to their attack and made them much more dangerous on the counterattack.
In midfield, Dave Hurley has also had a very impressive season so far and is the heartbeat of this Galway side. He has also added two goals and four assists so far, including a stunning volley in the home win against Derry.
Conclusion
With ten points between them and Waterford, Galway United look to have enough to avoid automatic relegation and will be hoping to pull away from Sligo and Drogheda and move up the table.
The have conceded some frustrating late goals but this new Galway United team have shown that they are hard to beat and capable of beating anyone in the league on their day.
A midtable finish would represent a successful campaign for Galway United and while it may not be the highs of European football, it would ensure another season of Premier Division football next year.
Season Rating So Far: 6/10
Player Of The Season So Far: Kris Twardek