Galway United manager Phil Trill: 'I think there's a mad stat I think we've something like 13 clean sheets in a row or something'

Isabella Beletic

Isabella Beletic Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)

Paul Corcoran reports from Headford

Galway United went top of the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday evening after a 5-0 win over Cork City.

Julie Ann Russell netted a hat-trick and Jenna Slattery grabbed a brace, but again United built the victory on a strong performance across the field with another clean sheet to their name.

Manager Phil Trill spoke to extratime.com after the game and the United boss was pleased with the win.

“Like obviously getting the game going in the first part was probably really difficult. But the ladies were excellent,” Trill said.

“It was really controlled throughout, Cork had one or two chances, but I felt we deserved exactly what we got. It doesn't always go away that way in football, but so proud of them.

“I think some of the stuff they’re playing is really, really progressive. And look, it's just building on what we did last year. Again, another clean sheet.

“I think there's a mad stat I think we've something like 13 clean sheets in a row or something, I don't know, 13 out of 15 but look really happy, really progressive and wow, like, you know, Julie Ann Russell makes history becoming Galway United’s first ever hat-trick goal scorer.”

That stat is now 14 clean sheets in their last 16 games in all competitions, a run that goes all the way back to last June – and that is just two goals conceded in that period of time.

The game had been scheduled for Eamonn Deacy Park but due to heavy rain in the lead up to the game the pitch was deemed unplayable and was moved at short notice to the astro pitch at Moyne Villa’s ground in Headford.



“I actually spoke about it with the players, and I said if this was this time last year, I felt it would have massively affected us.

“I just think we're quite focused on ourselves and really content in knowing what we have to do. And definitely having that year, it seems to have helped us. It's very early days, but look, the last two performance has been really good.

Some of the performances in preseason were really good, specifically the Shamrock Rovers game. We were really good. It’s a pitch, it's a game, we're going to have things change on us during games and it's how can we react to that.”

The Tribeswomen look like they are stronger than they were last year, albeit it is still early in the season.

Trill praised the support from the club and the consistency of the players.

“I think it was showing like how close we were last year and how consistent we could get and just doing it earlier. I will also say I think I think it's very positive that a lot of support has been given to the ladies.



“We’ve a massive backroom team. There's myself, but there's 12 or 13 people, you know, all the way down to medical support and everything.

“Like it creates a good atmosphere, it creates a good club and a good sense of identity and it’s something we've definitely progressed on this year. But it's all the ladies, they're a year older now. Eve Dossen is not 19 until July or something like it's baffling like but probably has 15 clean sheets.”

The Women’s Premier Division is on a break next weekend as the All Island kicks off, Galway United begin the defence of their title with a trip to the Showgrounds to face Sligo Rovers.

Phil Trill’s full interview can be heard on the extratime.com Voice Notes Podcast which can be found below.

About Paul Corcoran

Paul Corcoran is an experienced writer and journalist and has contributed to various publications including the Galway United match programme Maroon View. He spends much of his time covering the fortunes of Galway United's teams … View Full Profile