Connor happy with win over UCD
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Friday night in Belfield saw Galway United recording a precious victory over Martin Russell's UCD side in a very competitive league encounter. Speaking after the game, Galway boss Sean Connor expressed his deep satisfaction with the win, and took extreme pleasure from the way his side performed on the night.
“To be honest with you, I stressed before the game that we just could not consider getting beaten tonight, and we actually needed the three points. We always wanted to get the three points, but I said tonight there was a need, and to a man they all fought and ran their legs off, and worked hard and tried to keep the ball. I thought it was a good game of football to watch actually, so I'm pleased”, Connor remarked.
The second half saw Galway coming out with a new spring in their step after a testing opening half, and a 48th minute goal from striker Karl Sheppard was to set them on their way.
Connor puts a lot of this down to a half-time change of system, and was also happy that they managed to see out the game in the end, which is something they haven't done in the past.
“Yeah, we changed our system slightly at the start of the second half, and I think we caused them problems. It was good to get that goal early, probably I think that we sat back too deep for a while after that. But again, I thought we finished the game with a good period where we could have sealed it, and again finished the game strongly. That was pleasing, but it was just pleasing to see out the game. Last week (against Dundalk) was a real kick in the teeth”.
“We've had that against Fingal, against Bohemians and against these the last time, we were 2-1 up. So, we've seen out the result tonight and that's very, very important. But sometimes, and particularly at this stage of the season, performances are fantastic, but ultimately it's results that really are where decisions are made about whether you stay up. That was a result-driven performance tonight, and that's what we wanted”.
A new introduction to the Galway side in the past week has been youngster Stephen Walsh, who has proven to be something of a revelation in the past two games, and set-up Sheppard's winner on Friday. This contribution has not surprised Connor in the slightest, as he has witnessed his quality in training, and feels he is now getting the recognition that he deserves as a result.
“Yeah, he's been a revelation because it's the first time we've put him in. We know what he's like. We've had him since he played against Hull City for ten minutes, and he's worked hard for the reserves. He's full of energy, bravery. He's a great belief in himself, and he basically does what you tell him, and that's refreshing for a manager. His job now is force himself into the team in his best position”, Connor added.
“To be honest with you, I stressed before the game that we just could not consider getting beaten tonight, and we actually needed the three points. We always wanted to get the three points, but I said tonight there was a need, and to a man they all fought and ran their legs off, and worked hard and tried to keep the ball. I thought it was a good game of football to watch actually, so I'm pleased”, Connor remarked.
The second half saw Galway coming out with a new spring in their step after a testing opening half, and a 48th minute goal from striker Karl Sheppard was to set them on their way.
Connor puts a lot of this down to a half-time change of system, and was also happy that they managed to see out the game in the end, which is something they haven't done in the past.
“Yeah, we changed our system slightly at the start of the second half, and I think we caused them problems. It was good to get that goal early, probably I think that we sat back too deep for a while after that. But again, I thought we finished the game with a good period where we could have sealed it, and again finished the game strongly. That was pleasing, but it was just pleasing to see out the game. Last week (against Dundalk) was a real kick in the teeth”.
“We've had that against Fingal, against Bohemians and against these the last time, we were 2-1 up. So, we've seen out the result tonight and that's very, very important. But sometimes, and particularly at this stage of the season, performances are fantastic, but ultimately it's results that really are where decisions are made about whether you stay up. That was a result-driven performance tonight, and that's what we wanted”.
A new introduction to the Galway side in the past week has been youngster Stephen Walsh, who has proven to be something of a revelation in the past two games, and set-up Sheppard's winner on Friday. This contribution has not surprised Connor in the slightest, as he has witnessed his quality in training, and feels he is now getting the recognition that he deserves as a result.
“Yeah, he's been a revelation because it's the first time we've put him in. We know what he's like. We've had him since he played against Hull City for ten minutes, and he's worked hard for the reserves. He's full of energy, bravery. He's a great belief in himself, and he basically does what you tell him, and that's refreshing for a manager. His job now is force himself into the team in his best position”, Connor added.
About Daire Walsh
Daire Walsh began reporting for Extratime in 2009, when he covered Kildare County's games in the League Of Ireland First Division. He currently reports on games involving the league's Dublin sides and also Bray Wanderers. … View Full Profile