League Report: Galway United 3 - 2 Limerick

Galway United welcomed Limerick to Deacy Park on Friday night in a battle of the bottom two. The game was played in balmy conditions with a light breeze. Interestingly, Galway left Alex Byrne on the bench, while Limerick also left former Galway favourite Vinny Faherty in the dugout.

Galway started brightly and dominated proceedings in the opening quarter with teenage striker Padraic Cunningham twice coming close to scoring. The home side played very direct football in the opening exchanges where they looked far superior to Limerick. However the visitors could have scored on 14 minutes but Russell could not quite control his header at the far post - this followed a harsh booking of Galway's centre back Kevin Garcia.

Limerick's goalkeeper Conor O'Donnell was in action regularly, twice denying Cunningham, who on a different day may have nabbed a hat trick at this stage. The breakthrough came however in the 24th minute when Jason Hughes blatantly dragged Keegan to the ground, following Connolly's inswinging corner. Enda Curran buried the penalty with ease, while Hughes picked up a yellow card.

Galway had a golden opportunity to add to the lead on 39 minutes when Cunningham twice had point blank shots blocked by O'Donnell as Galway dominated. However, almost immediately, Limerick on a rare foray down field, were back on level terms when Dean Clarke's cross was turned into his own net by Garcia, to a stunned silence from the crowd of twelve hundred plus, including number one fan President Michael  D Higgins.

The second period progressed when the opening half had left off with Galway enjoying the lion's share of possession, while Limerick were stubbornly defiant without posing much of a threat. Limerick introduced Vinny Faherty at the start of the half for Jason Hughes.

Galway cut Limerick to shreds at times in the third quarter, but still could not get the lead goal with Limerick almost grabbing a lead on seventy minutes with their first shot on target. Ian Turner's long range effort was brilliantly turned away by Ger Hanley.

The ensuing corner and two subsequent corners brought panic to the Galway rearguard but they survived the isolated onslaught and six minutes later Enda Curran pounced to slam home an unstoppable shot from just inside the box, for a deserved lead.

Gary Shanahan popped up seven minutes later with Galway's third goal form Ryan Connolly's cross - Connolly really 'bossed the game' in the second period. However this Galway side can't do anything the easy way and just when it seemed they were 'home and hosed' Vinny Faherty nodded home a Limerick corner, from nowhere.

Almost immediately, Shanahan should have made it four, but the home side had to endure four added minutes, during which Limerick forced a corner, before collecting the three points.

Galway United would not have been flattered with a six or more goal victory here. Young Padraic Cunningham could have grabbed a bagful, but he will benefit from outings like this. Strength in depth in not something Galway have, but they do have determination and some very talented young players. This win will give them the determination to 'dig in' for the long haul. Players like Colm Horgan, Ryan Connolly and Enda Curran are showing signs of leading by example - it will be needed.

Limerick are facing a long season, but there is hope for the future if they nurture talent like Ian Turner and Dean Clarke.

Galway United: Ger Hanley; Colm Horgan, Stephen Walsh, Kevin Garcia, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, David O'Leary, Jake Keegan, Ryan Connolly, Padraic Cunningham ( Alex Byrne, 89), Enda Curran.
Subs not used: Connor Gleeson (gk), Paul Sinnot, Antaine O'Laoi, Cormac Raftery, Conor Barry.

Booked: Garcia (13).

Limerick FC: Conor O'Donnell; Sean Harding, Aidan Price, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams; Ian Turner, Sean Russell, Shane Treacy, (Shane Tracy 66), Paul O'Conor, Jason Hughes (Vinny Faherty 46); Dean Clarke.
Subs Not Used: Tommy Holland (gk), Darragh Rainsford, Val Feeney, Ross Mann, Paudie O'Connor.

Booked: Hughes (24), Williams (73), Whitehead (75).

Referee: Ray Matthews (Mullingar)

Attendance: 1,233

Extra time Man of the Match: Ryan Connolly (Galway United)