Friendly Report: Galway United 2 - 0 UCD

Galway United got their pre-season campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 win against UCD at a very wet and cold Fahy’s Field on Saturday afternoon.


After a scoreless opening period of very few chances, Tommy Dunne made nine changes to his team and the second half eleven eventually beat Conor O'Donnell in the Student goal, as trialist Jose Garcia and Enda Curran both struck to secure the friendly win.

Tommy Dunne made full use of his available players as he fielded two different eleven’s in both halfs against UCD.

Conor Melody had an early chance when he was played through on goal by Ruairi Keating but UCD goalkeeper O’Donnell advanced from his line to twart the youngster.

Melody did well again on the half hour mark by beating the UCD fullback before pulling the ball back to Colm Horgan who saw his effort blocked, while Vinny Faherty's follow up was also blocked away in the gaolmouth scramble.

Young Melody then did well cutting in from the right before unleashing a shot which O'Donnell saved once again. 

Just before the break Ruairi Keating pounced on a mistake in the UCD defence, as he found himself one on one with the Students 'keeper but he could not find a way past O’Donnell.

Tommy Dunne rang the changes in the second half with only Melody and goalkeeper Kevin Horgan remaining. The half didn't start well though for Galway as the returning Padraic Cunningham had to leave the field after just 13 minutes, following a clash with O'Donnell as he chased a ball into the box.

O'Donnell denied the home side on the hour mark as he pulled off a double close range save before Enda Curran fired the loose ball high and over.

Galway finally broke the deadlock on 69 minutes when Garcia finally beat O'Donnell with an effort from just outside the box which needed a deflection to get past the impressive students custodian.

The Tribesmen then added a second goal two minutes from time as young U19 player Gary Kinneen did well down the left before picking out Curran in the box and the striker did what he does best finishing past UCD sub keeper Niall Corbett into the corner for 2-0. 

Galway United

First half XI: Kevin Horgan; Colm Horgan, Cillian Cantwell, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Conor Melody, John Sullivan, Ryan Connolly,Kevin Devaney; Vinny Faherty, Ruairi Keating.
Second half XI: Kevin Horgan (Aaron Dillon 60); Cormac Raftery, Paul Sinnott, Stephen Walsh, Gary Kinneen; Enda Curran, Jose Garcia, Conor Melody; Jesse Devers, Padraic Cunningham (C Horgan 58), Andrew Connolly

UCD: Conor O’Donnell, Mark Langtry, Ryan McLaughlin, Maxi Kougoun, Brian Shortall,Darragh Black, Cathal Brady, Gary O’Neill, Georgie Kelly, Dylan Watts, Jason McClelland. Subs Used; Niall Corbett (GK), Daniel Tobin, Sean Coyne, Josh Collins and Robert Manley.

Referee: Marc Lynch