Galway United 1-1 Limerick FC

Barry Moran spared Galway United’s blushes with an equaliser ten minutes from the end of Saturday’s friendly with Limerick at the Curragh Grounds, Ballinasloe. Moran was one of a number of former United players looking to impress new manager Ian Foster and his clinical finish was one of the few positive moments Foster could take from a game that Limerick could easily have ended up as victors

Played on a weather-induced rock-hard, uneven surface, this was a typical pre-season encounter which never rose too often above the mundane. Foster emptied his subs’ bench at half-time, making eight changes with ‘keeper Barry Ryan, triallist Shane Guthrie, and Seamus Conneely being the only players to last the full 90 minutes

Apart from Moran, the other former Galway players to see action were Dave O’Dowd and Dave Cooke. Cooke anchored the middle of the park alongside Cian McBrien with Jay O’Shea and Derek O’Brien on the flanks. Limerick’s Chimka Manjor was the more effective winger, though, as he made life difficult for United teenager Niall Walsh

Iarfhlaith Davoren showed some promise in his unaccustomed position of left full although it did take United over ten minutes to string more than two passes together as Limerick dominated possession without threatening Barry Ryan’s goal. Attempts on goal were indeed a rarity in the first half with Jay O’Shea ballooning a free kick over while Paul Walsh went close for Limerick with another dead-ball effort on 29 minutes

Limerick’s new striker Paul Cummins then burst into life in the 36th minute when Ryan’s poor clearance fell to him and the former Aisling Annacotty man had a shot that deflected narrowly wide. From the corner, Cummins header forced a routine save from Ryan

Galway’s octuplet of half-time substitutes included the likes of Alan Murphy, Jonathan Keane, and Jason Molloy, as well as some graduates from last year’s under 20 side. But it was a Limerick sub, James Hayes, who had the most immediate impact on proceedings

His 50th minute drive brought a good save from Ryan before his header from a 56th minute corner was cleared off the line by Paul Sinnott. Scrappiness took over again for a period before Galway were gifted an opportunity to take the lead when awarded a spot-kick for “handball”. Dave Ryan was, however, equal to Alan Murphy’s attempt which he parried away to his right

Galway then had slightly more legitimate claims for a penalty when Levi Tierney tumbled in the area turned away and Limerick took full advantage of their let-off when Hayes connected sweetly with a right wing cross and volleyed beyond Ryan into the top right hand corner

With Galway toiling in attack, this looked like it would be the winning goal but Moran struck within three minutes with a smart finish from just inside the area. It was the last attack of note and Ian Foster will be looking for improvement from his charges when they take on Mervue United on Tuesday night while Limerick’s next pre-season engagement is as yet unknown

Galway United: Barry Ryan; Niall Walsh (Paul Sinnott, 46), Shane Guthrie, Seamus Conneely, Iarfhlaith Davoren (James Minogue, 46); Jay O’Shea (Jonathan Keane, 46), Cian McBrien (Craig Reape, 46), Dave Cooke (Alan Murphy, 46), Derek O’Brien (Levi Tierney, 46); Dave O’Dowd (Barry Moran, 46), Vinny Faherty (Jason Molloy, 46)

Limerick FC: Dave Ryan; Brendan Daly, Brian O’Callaghan, Paddy Purcell, Conor Molan; Paul Walsh, Wayne Colbert (Colm Scanlon, 60), Thomas Lyons, Chimka Manjor (Derek Daly, 65); Paul Cummins (James Hayes, 46), Paul Danaher (Dave Ryan, 46)

Attendance: 60 (estimate)