We're going through changes...

A LOT can change in 77 days - and change it has.

When Shamrock Rovers last faced Galway United on the 25th of May at Tallaght Stadium, The Tribeswomen were unbeaten in six games and had positioned themselves as red-hot favorites to lift silverware at the end of the season.

The Hoops on the other hand had yet to pick up their first league win, drawing four and losing two.

Perhaps the most painful loss for fans to swallow was the 2-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Peamount, who in the opening 45’ dominated the Tallaght turf.

Yet there were slivers of green shoots as Rovers sat the visitors down for the second.

Those first ten weeks of the campaign were indeed a puzzling time for those both on and off the pitch as The Hoops matched opposition play for play and challenge for challenge yet were unable to deliver the knockout blow in the final third.

Rovers' rejuvenation away to Crusaders (where a spirited 2-2 draw sent The Hoops through to the knock-out stages of the All-Island Cup) was punctured when under the glare of the TG4 lights a week later, Eve Dossen stunned the home fans in attendance with a bullet straight to the heart of Amanda Buddens net on the stroke of half-time.

A day after that game I spoke to United's roving left-back Aoibheann Costello, who was still nursing the war wounds of a physical battle in Dublin 24.

“They are a very good team,” Costello reflected on the Rovers Women. “I don't believe that their position in the table represents their ability. I think they deserve a lot more respect than people are giving them.”

At the time I admired Costello's fair and accurate summation and still do.

Despite there being little to separate both sides at Tallaght, it would have been easy for the Galway goalslingers to gloat given their league differential but they showed their true character when at the top via Costello's take.

Whether the wingbacks' words resonated with the Dublin 24 women we will never know, but post that game, something switched for the Rovers Women.

Notably, the mental side of the game was explored and examined by O'Neill's coaching staff - boxer Gary Cully, who suffered his first pro defeat in May of last year against Jose Felix Jr of Mexico, was drafted to impart wisdom at The Roadstone Academy. 

Whatever the root salve, the run of play clicked and the wheels became unstuck as the players simultaneously relaxed in their play and yet in equal measure, roared back to life.

The Hoops began to strut, winning 3 out of their next 4 league games convincingly and have since beaten quality opposition such as Shelbourne and Peamount in the All-Island Cup.

The win over Peamount was a masterclass, the fluidity of Rovers switches of play mere poetry in motion as Stephanie Zambra saw openings that were invisible to the naked eye. Melissa O'Kane conducted in the centre with the flick of her boot and Lia O'Leary burst along the channel, rip-roaring beyond the defense and finishing with her signature flourish.

Since their win at Tallaght, Galway United have lost their last three league games and succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to Shelbourne in last weekend's FAI Cup. 

They have now dropped to fifth, nine points adrift of table toppers Shelbourne.

Yet just like Rovers Women, Phil Trill's team has both the quality, talent and temperament to revive - and where better than Eamonn Deacy Park to do it?

Reaching back-to-back finals is no easy feat yet the women from the West have managed to achieve it - a mammoth milestone.

The clash tomorrow, while an important league fixture in itself is of course taking place in the shadow of the All Island Cup final.

Both managers will no doubt be utilising this opportunity to examine their final opponents with a fine toothcomb and iron out any stray fibers as the full ninety plays out.

Make no mistake about it, this game will be no easy task for Rovers.

United have Ireland's senior WNT sharpshooter Julie-Ann Russell in their ranks, the quick-footed Jenna Slattery in the center and defender Jamie Erickson marshalling at the back.

Russell will look to utilise her paçe to snake beyond both Maria Reynolds and Jessica Hennessy (rather JAR than me!) while Erickson will push up the pitch and deliver sweeping balls into the box (she provided the assist to Dossens goal lest we forget - you haven't? Me neither.)

On the other hand, this contest will not be a stroll in the Park for United.

They face a confident Rovers eleven who have found their ammo in the chamber.

Reynolds. McCarthy. O'Kane. Ralph. E. Kelly. O'Leary. A.Kelly. Hennessy (I could go on - don't tempt me.)

So good, first names aren't warranted.

Kick-off at 5pm on LOITV.