Galway United boss Tommy Dunne has challenged his players to prove they can bring the club to the next level after their stunning opening-night dismantling of St Pat's in Inchicore.
John Sullivan and Enda Curran struck late goals at Richmond Park to plunder a 3-1 win against Liam Buckley's Saints and make a real statement of intent.
Galway were almost sucked into a promotion/relegation play-off last year, finishing tenth, just three points ahead of bottom side Drogheda United.
Dunne revealed they've worked hard to iron out some issues that hampered the team - particularly going forward - and has urged his players to show they can improve.
“It’s one of our goals, we’re looking to see can we be better than we were last season," Dunne told RTÉ Sport. "You're judged over the course of the season in the league. We’re hoping we can improve on that. With the group we have it won’t be for the lack of endeavour that’s for sure.
"We showed a bit of character, we showed that desire and fight. We’d a few niggly problems but over the course of the 90 minutes I think we created chances, we defended well.
"We showed a bit of character, we showed that desire and fight." - Tommy Dunne
"When it was 1-1 Conor Winn pulled off an unbelievable save from Christy Fagan. When he pulled that off it looked like it gave us the platform to push on and get something out of it."
The hosts took the lead at the start of the second half when Fagan glanced home a header, but former Saints striker Vinny Faherty levelled it up before Galway kicked on to take a big three points.
Dunne was pleased by the turnaround on several fronts, not least the character his charges displayed after falling behind.
“[Attacking] is a side of our game that we had to improve on," Dunne said. "Last year I don’t think in any game that we went behind in we picked up a win.
"We picked up a draw against Bray I remember but not a win so from that aspect we were delighted. The guys are in good nick, they were hungry for the game.
"We knew it was going to be a difficult outing today. In fairness to Pat’s they moved that ball well and they always have done with Liam.
"On the break we were quite strong. We conceded a poor goal just after half-time but we actually picked up the pace just after that. Over the course of the 90 minutes we looked like finished that little bit stronger in the end.
"It’s three points, it’s a start. We’re not going to get carried away in any way shape or form. It’s a brilliant result."
