Galway United 3-0 Finn Harps

Galway United eased their relegation worries with a well deserved three goal victory over Finn Harps at a saturated Terryland Park tonight, in the process setting up a date with destiny against UCD next weekend.

Knowing a win was imperative in keeping their destiny in their own hands, Galway produced the goods when needed most, scoring twice at the start of the second period and defending assuredly for the remaining 35 minutes of this absorbing game.

Forced into a switch from his preferred line-up, Jeff Kenna was forced to bring in Alan Murphy to the midfield as John Russell failed to shrug off a knock picked up in training mid-week and had to make do with a spot on the bench. Paul Hegarty drafted in Shaun McGowan to replace the suspended Mark Mukendi.

A brisk opening twenty minutes started with a shot from the edge of the area from Vinny Faherty on four minutes which was comfortably dealt with by James Gallagher. Within a minute, Stephen Parkhouse should have given Harps the lead when Conor Gethins perceptive pass released Michael Funston on the right flank.

Funston’s low cross evaded Alan Keane, and when the big striker set himself with a good first touch, his third goal in three games at Terryland looked inevitable. But his shot, while well struck, was straight at Gary Rogers who blocked with his legs.

As the play ebbed from end to end, Jay O’Shea blazed a volley over before John Lester was booked for a 20m sliding tackle on Shaun McGowan. In the ensuing melee, raised arms and knees were prevalent but only Lester suffered Ian Stokes ire.

Increasingly, United were dealing comfortably with the visitors attacking raids, but couldn’t muster a decisive strike themselves. O’Shea again was wild with an effort from 18 yards following Murphy’s neat dummy. Faherty was presented with a headed chance on 27 minutes but couldn’t redirect John Fitzgerald’s header goalwards.

The remaining fifteen minutes of the half were controlled possession-wise by the hosts but, frustratingly, no end product was at hand as Seamus Conneely, Mark McCulloch and Jonathan were finding space on the wings but Gallagher was untroubled before Stokes brought the first half to a conclusion.

The second half was but 90 seconds old when McCulloch grabbed the goal to send the home fans wild. A throw in on the right was worked to Conneely who crossed towards Faherty, who missed it and the ball somehow, found its way to left full McCulloch who found himself in acres of space and calmly slotted past Gallagher.

The home fans joy was doubled six minutes later when a break-away, following some sustained Harps pressure, saw O’Shea find Murphy 12 yards out, and the former striker curled a delicious left foot shot into the bottom left corner. Jeff Kenna’s side were now in a strong position, but comebacks from two down are Harps speciality in Terryland so caution prevailed.

And Harps did push on, as Hegarty introduced Chris Breen and Marc Brolly to the fold, but it was full back Holmes who was first to test Rogers, forcing him into a save down by his right hand post. Rogers then flapped at a high ball in the 67th minute but had centre half Alan Keane to thank for an acrobatic goal-line clearance from Gethins goalbound shot.

Credit to the Galway defensive workrate and efficiency in possession which limited Harps to crosses which were well dealt with. Iarflaith Davoren’s introduction also gave Galway an out ball on the left flank, and he showed a clean pair of heels to his marker on more than one occasion.

Harps confidence visibly sagged towards the end as they realised it was not to be their night, and Galway ended their home campaign, which looked for a long time like ending winless, ended on a note of triumph as John Lester blasted in a free from the edge of the box which took a slight deflection, but the jubilant Galway fans cared little.

Galway United: Gary Rogers; Seamus Conneely, Alan Keane, John Fitzgerald, Marc McCulloch; Alan Murphy (Jesper Jorgensen 73), John Lester, Ciaran Foley (Iarfhlaith Davoren, 65), Jonathan Keane (John Russell, 86); Jay O’Shea, Vinny Faherty.
Subs not used: Alvin Rouse, Paul Sinnott, Derek Glynn.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Stuart Malcolm, Declan Boyle (Marc Brolly, 59), Jonathan Minnock, Shaun Holmes; Michael Funston, Neil McCafferty, Shaun McGowan, David Tyrell (Chris Breen, 59); Conor Gethins, Stephen Parkhouse.
Subs not used: Gavin Cullen, Austin Friel, Gary Beckett.

Referee: Ian Stokes.

Attendance: 2,790

Extratime Man of the Match: Alan Keane (Galway United).