silverware, Striker Aoife Thompson, FAI Cup trophy,

By Daragh Nolan

Striker Aoife Thompson is adamant Galway WFC have what it takes to bring silverware back to the west of Ireland.

The Tribeswomen have had a mixed start to the season, they lie 5th in the league after five games. Thompson believes the squad has more than enough quality to compete for honours this season.

“We want to win silverware. It’s been a while since we have got our hands on some so we’ll be looking at that FAI Cup and trying to seriously compete for it,” she says.

“It would be nice to bring something back to Galway, it has been a while.”

The last trophy accrued by any Galway team was the FAI Cup trophy for the women’s team in 2007. However, domestic success will not only be judged by a cup run, Bill Clery’s team is also looking for a strong league campaign.

“We want to compete with the top teams. I believe that we are 100 per cent good enough to finish in the top three,” she says.

Those ambitions took a dent last time out against with a 5-0 defeat to Wexford Youths.

“We started quite well and missed a few chances, but Wexford seemed to score from every attack. They were just so clinical in the final third. Therese Kinnevey got a second yellow which we all think was harsh and Keara Cormican got injured in the first half, so it was just a terrible day all round,” she explains.

“Obviously 5-0 is a hard one to take but we can learn and grow from a game like that.”

The defeat was a stark reminder for Galway that, even though they have had a strong start to the season, anything can happen in the league.

“Pre-season was great; we were flying and Dave Bell coming in as coach was a huge boost. His experience has been and will be invaluable to us.

“Dave is a top-quality coach. When we are in training you really reap the benefits of it with his one-to-one coaching and he is always involved in giving advice and he is very engaged. All the girls are delighted to have him there.”

Bell was a new addition to Clery’s coaching staff this season following two successful years as head coach of Galway’s next opponents, Shelbourne. Bell managed two runner-up league finishes and won a league cup in his time at Tolka Park. Galway will be looking for their new coach’s insight into Shelbourne.

“We’ve had a week off to prepare for Shelbourne, so we have had time to focus on them. They are a good side, but it is time for us to bounce back now.

“The coaches prepare us for each opponent differently. We’re able to adapt to loads of different things with how we set up the team and our set-pieces,” she adds.

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