Galway United did their hopes of securing a First Division play-off spot a big favour, holding off the challenge of Cabinteely at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night to seal a 3-2 win, thanks to an inspirational performance by Conor Barry who netted a
Galway United did their hopes of securing a First Division play-off spot a big favour, holding off the challenge of Cabinteely at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night to seal a 3-2 win, thanks to an inspirational performance by Conor Barry who netted a brace. Eoin McCormack scored the other goal for United while Joe Doyle and Marty Waters got on the score-sheet for Pat Devlin’s troops. The Tribesmen sit just outside the play-off places and are six points adrift of second spot, so they are still in the hunt to return to the Premier Division, despite some key results going against them in recent months. All three of United’s goals against Cabo came via way of the boot, but newly appointed assistant manager Mark Herrick, famed for his attacking aerial prowess in his playing days, told SSE Airtricity League reporter Trevor Murray that he was satisfied with the way his team defended in the air. “We do count our headers”, Herrick said. “We want our defenders winning headers – it’s one of the margins in the game that’s important. It’s close to my own heart for other reasons. “If we can put them in any way – if we can put them in off our back I don’t mind either, but it’s one of the areas that we want to make sure we have a good return from, defensive or attacking.” Conor Barry was the standout player on the night, producing a couple of great strikes, not least his first which was a 35-yard low-driven strike that well and truly bested Stephen McGuinness. It brings Barry’s season tally to nine goals, but Herrick was most impressed with his work-rate, and has been since he took up the coaching role alongside player-manager Alan Murphy. “Barry’s put in such a shift at the moment, he’s playing really, really well and that’s the main thing. If there’s a return that manifests itself in goals, fantastic but ultimately he’s a team player and he’s done fantastic and we’re delighted with that,” Herrick explained. Up next for United is a tough away trip against Drogheda United who were held by Wexford FC this weekend, a game that will be followed by another in cup action against North End United. In the league, the Corribsiders will certainly be gunning for maximum points to keep the pressure on as they hope to crack into the top four once more. “The Cup is a different mind-set”, Herrick said. “Right now we will start preparing for Drogheda come tomorrow morning with a recovery session. We can start thinking about that game and hopefully we can have a good week and put ourselves in the best position possible to get something out of Drogheda.”
