Galea ends injury-plagued season with a flourish

Until a few weeks ago, it looked as though Michael Galea would have to wait until the start of the 2008-09 season to re-assert his status as an influential Birkirkara player and one of the most clinical strikers in Maltese football.

A succession of injuries beset Galea's hopes of leading a youthful Birkirkara team after the club's hierarchy last summer made the bold decision of ditching a host of established but underachieving campaigners in favour of up-and-coming, ambitious players.

Galea spent most of the time on the treatment table and the subs' bench as Birkirkara overcame a tentative start to force their way back into the upper reaches of the Premier League table, eventually finishing joint-third with Sliema Wanderers.

Birkirkara's marked improvement in the second half of the season was also mirrored in their remarkable march to the FA Trophy final as the Stripes disposed of Marsaxlokk and Valletta in the quarter- and semi-finals respectively.

After making a cameo appearance in the 2-0 defeat of Marsaxlokk, Galea was in the team for last Tuesday's 4-2 win over Valletta but failed to get his name on the scoresheet. All that remained for Galea to finish a difficult season on a positive note was the final against Ħamrun Spartans and the captain did not let himself or his team-mates down, scoring two goals to edge out the battling Spartans 2-1.

"Winning the FA Trophy brought enormous satisfaction to the entire clan," Galea told The Times.

"At the start of the season, nobody imagined that we could end it as cup winners after all those changes during the summer. Our priority was to secure qualification for Europe but we've exceeded expectations by winning the trophy. Given the circumstances, I think this season will go down as one of the most successful in the history of our club."

Now firmly established as the most decorated player at Birkirkara FC, Galea was understandably delighted to have performed a starring role in his team's FA Trophy success with a two-goal flourish after netting only six goals throughout the entire league campaign.

"The club's strategy was to have a mix of experience and youth," Galea said.

"The four experienced players in the squad were rightly expected to take up leading roles but I was unable to do that because my season was fragmented by injuries.

"I had to have surgery this year but I've been recovering well since March. Being part of a good squad also aided my rehab from injuries as I was not under pressure to rush back into action. It's been a difficult year for me but thankfully, I managed to rediscover my best form in the latter stages of the season. Scoring two goals in the final was the cherry on the cake, a tremendous personal boost."

Galea's two-goal impact on Saturday capped a memorable day for his family after his younger brother Julian had stolen the show earlier in the afternoon with a four-goal haul in Melita's 5-1 rout of Balzan Youths in the Division II/III KO final.

"What happened on Saturday was unique I guess," a beaming Galea said.

"It's not everyday that two brothers score in two different finals at the same stadium and on the same day. It was a milestone and my brother and I are delighted to have made our family proud."

Aged 19, Julian Galea has long been touted as a future prospect and his scoring exploits last weekend is likely to trigger a tug-of-war for his signature between the country's leading clubs.

Galea senior has backed his brother to follow in his footsteps.

"Julian is a very promising player," Galea said. "This was his first full season as a first-team player for Melita and he's done exceptionally well. Saturday's final was the first big game of his career and he passed the test with flying colours. My hope is for Julian to keep improving as a player and to fulfill his footballing ambitions."

Talking about the future, Galea is optimistic that Birkirkara's FA Trophy victory will strengthen their chances of challenging for the top domestic honours in the coming years.

"The signs are very encouraging," Galea said. "The committee deserve immense credit because they made the brave decision to refresh the squad.

"Our coach John Buttigieg has been instrumental in taking this young team forward in his first full season in the Premier League. I think he has done a great job, using his wealth of experience as a player to maximise the potential of the squad.

"Last but not least, I want to congratulate my team-mates for an excellent season. For several members of our first team, that of Saturday was their first major final. The pressure of contesting a final will have been felt more by these players than by the likes of myself, George Mallia and Emil Yantchev but they've all made a great contribution."