League Report: Galway FC 2 - 2 Wexford Youths

A Jake Keegan brace was not enough to claim the full three points for Galway FC as Wexford Youths twice came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw at Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday afternoon on the final day of the SSE Airtricity League First Division.

The result confirms Galway will take on Shelbourne this coming Friday at home in the first leg of the promotion playoff. The Tribesmen had the chance to finish second on the table as Shels struggled to a draw with Cobh, but it was not to be. Two stunning strikes from Wexford’s Dean Brouder and Andy Mulligan pegged back the home side just when it looked as if they had done enough to win.

The Tribesmen started the brighter of the two sides and Gary Shanahan had the ball in net inside ten minutes but it was correctly ruled for offside. Shanahan was effective down the right wing and for a second time later in the half, he was called offside when a goal was on the cards.

At this point Galway FC had the pressure on and the game’s opening goal came after 12 minutes. Paddy Barrett, playing out of position at right-back, played in Jake Keegan and the American had the space and time, at the edge of the area, to turn and unleash a left footed drive that flew past Graham Doyle.

Youths responded well, midfielder Peter Higgins drawing a good save from Gleeson on 17 minutes. Youths came again on 25 minutes but Danny Furlong was marginally offside.

Keegan had a chance to make it 2-0 to the hosts on the half hour mark. Shanahan found space on the right wing and picked out Keegan charging to the near post but the striker somehow managed to put his effort wide. He should have scored. The American was lively throughout and was ably helped by Shanahan on the right wing.

Wexford’s equalizer was nothing short of sublime but Galway will have to question their defending. On 37 minutes Dean Broaders found himself down the right-hand channel in plenty of space, and with far too much time, leaned back and curled a left footed strike into the top corner over the head of Conor Gleeson. It was a stunning finish.

Keegan had another chance to claim the lead but a last ditch tackle from Stephen Last meant the sides went in level at the break.

Wexford were on the front foot for most of the opening second half but Galway looked the closest to scoring and Stephan Walsh clipped the bar on 54 minutes.

The introduction of Padraic Cunningham on the hour mark for Vinny Faherty almost reaped rewards, but the young striker failed to take any of the three glorious chances he would get. Taking the positives from Cunningham’s appearance though, is he gets in those positions, exactly where strikers should be and, in time, the goals will come.

There was a moment’s drama down at the touchline on 70 minutes as Tommy Dunne got involved in a verbal spat with Wexford player Ben Ryan after the midfielder made a rash challenge on Keegan. Referee John McLoughlin had no choice but to send Dunne to the stands as his verbal tirade could be heard down on Shop Street.       

When the dust had settled it was Keegan again who made the difference on 73 minutes. Picking up the ball in a central position inside the Wexford half, Keegan turned and ran at Youths’ defence before unleashing a shot at the edge of the area that fizzled into Graham Doyle’s bottom corner.

A win looked to be on the cards for the home side but Youths’ incredible work-rate meant they were always a threat going forward and, only five minutes later, a cleared Wexford corner fell to Mulligan who dinked and weaved past two defenders before smacking an unstoppable strike into Gleeson’s top corner.

Galway pushed for the win bringing on Ryan Manning for defender Colm Horgan and going three at the back. Manning hit the bar with his first touch from a free kick and, as Youths parked the bus, Galway tried in vain to clinch the winner.

Tommy Dunne’s side must now prepare for Friday night’s huge encounter with Shelbourne and he’ll gleefully welcome back Ryan Connolly and a fresher Manning.

Galway FC: Conor Gleeson; Paddy Barrett, Martin Conneely, Stpehen Walsh, Colm Horgan (Ryan Manning 82’); Gary Shanhan, Paul Sinnot (capt), Alex Byrne, Jason Molloy (Conor Barry 67’); Jake Keegan, Vinny Faherty (P Cunningham 65’)

Subs not used: Ger Hanley, Enda Curran, Cormac Raftery, Robbie Egan

Bookings: Jason Molloy

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Shane Nolan (Craig McCabe 82), Gary Delaney (Ryan Delaney 65’), Stephen Last, Killian Cantwell; Andy Mulligan, Ben Ryan, Peter Higgins, Aidan Keenan; Danny Furlong, Dean Broaders

Subs not used: Adam Cox

Bookings: Aidan Keenan, Ben Ryan

Referee: John McLoughlin

Attendance: 748

Extratime Man of the Match: Jake Keegan