WATERFORD BOSS DEREK McGrath is determined to stop the Déise goal drought from becoming a millstone around their necks.
The reigning league champions had three wins and a draw from their five games in Division 1A — but only managed to raise one green flag.
They drew a blank again in the quarter-finals but still had enough to beat Wexford, setting up a last-four clash against Limerick in Thurles this Sunday (2pm).
“I won’t say it’s a damning stat but it’s not one we want to have associated with us,” McGrath admitted.
“What we’re trying to manage now is the talk about it, that it doesn’t become ingrained in our approach. We love to hit the net the same as any other team but we’re trying to get the balance right so that while being conscious of it, it doesn’t become a burdening factor.
We’re happy to win games in whatever manner is possible. We’re working to hit the net but we’re not going to promise any radical change in meeting that end.
“We’re like any management. We’re encouraging the lads that when they get the chance, to take on their man.
“But, look, we don’t want to over-emphasise it and hope it comes in a natural flow. It’s like if you say to guys before matches, ‘Don’t give away frees,’ and then there is a tendency not to tackle.
“We wouldn’t be happy with it [the lack of goals] but we’re not stressing it too much in the group. It’s about being as positive as we can.”
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Thats a pity. Two teams from the west/north west getting relegated doesnt help keep the league nationwide.
Congratulations to St pats for staying up. That was a great win last week v cork and a fantastic draw today
@smithers: well done pats ccfc
I felt sorry for Galway until I heard they had voted to make it a ten team league. Not smart seeing the club is broke.
Disappointed Sligo couldn’t have finished on a victory against the worst team but its all about survival, can’t complain
Great that pats survived
Very hard luck Galway. Supporters are behind you 100%. Sort out some off field issues and we’ll be back.
Well done pats
Well done to sligo ,doesnt make sense a 10 team league stupid from the fai
@ryan o sullivan: I’m a harps fan but well done to the teams that stayed up. It’s a long season so no hard luck stories. The FAI, they’ll be happy two out of the three are from the West/North West cuts down on the travel for the teams that matter most to them. They would of preferred Sligo to Drogheda but two out of three ain’t bad i suppose!
@ryan o sullivan: yep
@ryan o sullivan: apparently the majority of clubs voted for it. Why??
@ryan o sullivan: makes no sense , as a neutral i dont follow any team but i cant see how making a 10 team will do any good, id be more inclined to see a 15 team league with 2million for the prize winner work out , if the fai werent such stingys fuks
@ryan o sullivan: 10 team league driven by clubs, unfortunately broadening the league just makes the standard worse. The idea is that a smaller league would be more competitive. Not a fan of the FAI but this one came from the clubs.
Galway United have been a shambles for a long time now! Bring back Don…
Go on you saints ⚽️
Two relegation’s on the bounce for Keggan. That must suck.
Galway will rise again. It has a good fan base in the city.
Hard to take. Strange season, very little between 5th and 11th placed teams.