Friendly - Galway FC 2 - 1 Dundalk

GALWAY FC continued their solid start to their inaugural preseason with a 2-1 win over last year’s Premier Division runners-up Dundalk. An early goal from Stephen O’Donnell for the visitors was cancelled out by Jake Keegan’s second half strike and, with moments to go in the game, Gary Shanahan sealed with win for the home side.

The opening half of this game was played in decent conditions and it was a lively affair from the off.  Dundalk are a physically strong outfit and appeared to be well organised from the opening whistle, while home side relied on quick passing and snappy support play to counteract their lack of inches and pounds.

The visitors took the lead in fortunate circumstances after only three minutes when Dundalk's Galway native Stephen O'Donnell was on hand to take advantage of a goalkeeping error and tap into an empty net.

Gary Shanahan had an opportunity to level matters two minutes later but he missed an absolute 'sitter' when put through by Jake Keegan. Seven minutes later Martin Conneely crack the ball off his own crossbar while under pressure from Horgan.

Both Pat Hoban and Simon Kelly had half-chances for the visitors before Vinny Faherty came close to equalising matters after 35 minutes. Faherty picked up a loose ball just inside the area and his well placed shot beat keeper Sava, but Ruaidhri Higgins got back to clear off the line.

Stephen O'Donnell came close to doubling his and Dundalk's tally two minutes before the break, when he shot just wide, following good work by Richie Towell.

The second period started much as the first, with an early goal, but this time it was the home side who got on the score sheet when Jake Keegan showed some composure when put through by Ryan Manning.

Manning was prominent again eight minutes later when he cracked a free kick from 30 yards just over the bar. Three minutes later Towell threatened for Dundalk, but Ger Hanley raced from his box to clear. Hanley a half time substitute for Gleeson really looked the part and he made a great finger tip save on 62 minutes form Gannon's header.

The sleet and snow was now falling heavily, but the players on both sides made light of the difficult conditions. The young Galway outfit had the last say in this game although it was the visitors that had looked more likely before former Dundalk player Gary Shanahan grabbed a last minute winner - finishing Manning's perfect pass to the net.

Stephen Kenny and Tommy Dunne will have much to ponder after this entertaining game - for Dunne he managed to get 20 players onto the field and while he may be some way from knowing his starting eleven several players will have enhanced their reputations.

Galway FC: Conor Gleeson (Ger Hanley 46); Marty Owens (Colm Horgan 46), Martin Conneely (Mike Elwood 46), Stephen Walsh (Gary Shanahan 79), Alex Byrne (Marty Owens 70);  Gary Shanahan (Cian Fadden 46), Paul Sinnott (Sean Gavin 46), Ryan Connolly (Ryan Manning 46), Jason Molloy (Aaron McDonagh 53); Vinny Faherty (Noel Varley 46), Jake Keegan.

Dundalk: Gabriel Sava; Sean Gannon, Simon Kelly, Brian Gartland (Chris Shields 61), Mark Rossiter; Richie Towell, Stephen O’Donnell (John Mountney 61), Ruaidhri Higgins, Daryl Horgan (Darren Meenan 72); David McMillan (Kurtis Byrne 72), Patrick Hoban.
Subs not used: George Poynton, Manuel Kaguako, Ryan Davis.

Referee: John McLoughlin (Athlone)