Connor admits frustration after 14th loss

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Following another demoralising defeat for Galway United on Friday evening 'frustration' was the mood emanating from manager Sean Connor. A positive first half display was undone just before halftime when Conor Murphy bundled home for Bray. With confidence low two more goals followed after the break via John Mulroy and Stephen Last, the latter on his debut.

Murphy's goal on 44 minutes really was a sucker punch for the Tribesmen and seemed to knock the confidence right out of the team in maroon. Connor had this to say about the opener, "You have to pick out the positives, if we had of come in at 0-0 that's a different game, they (also) scored five minutes into the second half that just effects the mentality of everybody. As soon as the goal went in, the confidence went."

In a promising first half that yielded more possession and territory than maybe clear cut chances, the continued development of the forward relationship of Alan Murphy and Mikey Gilmore has been one catalyst of confidence in otherwise dire times, and the two combined well to maintain possession further up the field. Indeed Murphy's withdrawal just after halftime, an all too common aspect of Galway's encounters this season, saw a stark recession in their fortunes. "To be fair, Murphy has been playing not really fit and they need time to develop their relationship, I think Gilmore was the one to come out with a lot of positives. He worked really really hard and is full of energy. He's only learning the game at this level and hopefully can become a good player at this level".

All three goals on Friday night came as a result of some poor defending inside the box by the United back four when chances to clear the ball went begging. Connor pulled no punches in his analysis of his sides defending. "Suicidal defending, it's hard to defend that".

Regarding the overall performance and the predicament Connor finds himself and his players "Disappointed isn't the word, frustrated, you've got to point out the mistakes, but at the same time you've got to point out the positives."

Galway go out next against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on Friday next (KO 7.45)