Galway United 2 - 2 Cork City
Galway United and Cork City played out a relatively entertaining two all draw at Terryland Park tonight where the highlights were undoubtedly goals of the highest quality from Davin O'Neill and Vinny Faherty.
Galway United gave starts to triallists Declan Edwards and Michael McGrath while Cork City included their recent signings from Latvia, Robert Mezeckis and Guntars Silagailis, in a startng line-up that also included Greg O'Halloran at right full.
A tame first half was relatively even but lacked any significant goalmouth action or tackles of any intensity. Jay O'Shea fired across the bows of Dan Connor's goalmouth in the 8th minute but apart from a good chance where McGrath, who was later revealed by manager Ian Foster to have signed for the club for the coming season, was sent through by a clever O'Shea pass but blazed horribly wide, Cork's defence had an easy time of it.
The closest the Leesiders came was on 40 minutes when Dan Murray rose well at the back post but could only head Colin Healy's inch-perfect free kick narrowly wide.
The second half sprang to life when Davin O'Neill opened the scoring on 48 with a cracking volley from 12 yards that gave Irish U19 'keeper Ger Hanley no chance. Billy Dennehy supplied the assist with a cross from the left and the game finally, unexpectedly, sprang to life.
Galway were behind for only five minutes as a clever run from Edwards, a potential loan deal who is a product of St Joseph's Boys and currently contracted to Stockport County, was brought to a halt by Colin Healy in the area and Padraig Sutton pointed immediately to the spot, from which Jay O'Shea converted.
Cork were back in front three minutes later when Murray this time found the target with a close range header from another quality Healy delivery, this time from a corner.
The visitors began to dominate from then on and could have had a couple more but for some smart interventions from centre half Paul Sinnott. United struggled to create any shooting opportunities and will be looking for John Russell to return from injury at the earliest opportunity to provide some creative influence in the middle of the pitch.
Despite this, United managed to grab an equaliser with eight minutes left when Vinny Faherty chased a long through ball and did very well to hold off a couple of would-be challengers before rifling past Connor from just inside the area
Galway United: Barry Ryan (Ger Hanley, 45); Seamus Conneely (Niall Walsh, 61), Paul Sinnott, Shane Guthrie, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Jay O'Shea, Cian McBrien, Dave Cooke (Alan Murphy, 61), Derek O'Brien, Michael McGrath (Jason Molloy, 61): Declan Edwards (Vinny Faherty, 61).
Subs not used:Barry Moran, David O'Dowd.
Cork City Dan Connor; Greg O'Halloran (Neal Horgan, 54), Robert Mezeckis (Sean Kelly, 73), Dan Murray, Danny Murphy; Pat Sullivan (Eoin Forde, 61), Colin Healy, Joe Gamble, Billy Dennehy; Guntars Silagailis (Denis Behan, 54), Davin O'Neill (Faz Kudozvic, 61).
Subs not used: Cillian Lordan, Mark McNulty, Timmy Kiely, Shane Duggan, Paul Deasy.
Referee: Padraig Sutton.