Jamie Erickson: 'The ball is still round, two goals, nothing really changes. So I think you've just got to play your game and work together as a team'

Jamie Erickson

Jamie Erickson Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United have progressed to the Final of the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup after they overcame Wexford on penalties at Eamonn Deacy Park on Wednesday night.

The reigning All-Island Champions had gone two goals up, but the game was forced to penalties after a great fight back by Wexford.

Galway United defender Jamie Erickson gave her thoughts on the victory after full-time.

“Obviously we came out to win the game and that's what we did. And I thought the team, although we had a couple slip ups there, I think we battled back and got the result,” the Canadian defender said, speaking to extratime.com.

“I don't know if it's about approaching it different. I mean, the next game is always the biggest one that we're going to play and it's just about showing up in the moment and not really overthinking it

“Yeah, things don't always go your way, but you've got to stick to the process. That's what Phil's been saying all along these last two years and we can't go off track now.

Erickson had a stellar performance on the night with a goal just after half-time and also scoring the winning penalty but the defender was quick to praise goalkeeper Jessica Berlin who made two saves in the shoot out.

“Yeah, it's great. But I think all credit goes to Jess there in the in the penalties. She's been unbelievable all season and comes up with two big saves and without that…there's not a big moment. Obviously, it's great to put the penalty away for the team, but all the credit there goes to Jess.

“I was always taught two nil is the worst lead in sports. It's the easiest to choke cause you kind of think you got it but one goal and they're right back in it.



“I think we kind of took our foot off the pedal and kind of let them get back into the game obviously, but it is not about panicking when you go two nil up on a team.

“It's generally for a reason, you're creating stuff, so I think it's just about going back to it and then just keeping that belief like that we had at the beginning of the game.”

The details of the All-Island Cup Final have been confirmed with Galway United having to travel to Tallaght Stadium to face Shamrock Rovers in the decider but with a league campaign still ongoing and Galway’s FAI Cup campaign getting underway next weekend, Erickson isn’t getting ahead of herself.

“The next game is always going to be the biggest, whether it's the FAI Cup, league game, Cup Final like it's all important at this point.

“I think you can't really look at it two different. Obviously, there's more eyes on the game, but on the field. The ball is still round, two goals, nothing really changes. So I think you just got to play your game and work together as a team.”

Galway United will face Shamrock Rovers in the All-Island Cup Final in Tallaght Stadium on Saturday, 17 August (kick-off 7.35pm). The game will be televised on TG4.



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