"The potential is huge."
Four words uttered by Stephen Lally indicate just why he has stepped in as the new Galway WFC manager ahead of Saturday's game away to Peamount United.
A well-known figure in the Tribe City, Lally played over 300 times for Galway United and has been a successful coach too with various roles taken up through the years in men's & women's football.
Over the last decade, he has been Head of Academy & coaching at Mervue United but many will remember his time in the women's game when he led the Galway and District Ladies team to FAI Women's Cup glory in 2007.
That team went on to compete in Europe and helped launch the international careers of talented players like Niamh Fahey, Meábh de Burca and Julie-Ann Russell.
Now Lally has taken on the challenge of lifting the spirits within the Galway WFC squad after Billy Clery departed following some excellent work done over recent years.
After seven games played, Galway sit fifth in a nine-team League with just two wins secured so far. The electric start to the 2021 season has slowed down and it's up to the new manager to reignite their campaign.
The good news is that Lally can call on some of the best players in the League in Shauna Fox, Savannah McCarthy, Ruth Fahy and Lynsey McKey, while there are a host of exciting youngsters breaking through.
One major area of concern will be ensuring that his players put football first ahead of other sports if they have ambitions of climbing the table or reaching the FAI Women's Cup Final.
With 21 goals already conceded, they must tighten up the backline and provide more support in defensive situations. So going back to basics might be the initial tactic before they can implement any specific style of play.
Starting away to champions and league leaders Peamount is a little unfair but then again this is the top tier of women's football in the country and no game will be easy. Lally knows that and it's why he is excited by what is to come.
