EA Sports Cup Report: Galway United 0 - 0 Finn Harps (Galway won 4-2 on penalties)

The Galway United faithful assembled in Deacy Park on Monday night, or at least a portion of them, buoyed by the rip roaring game with Cork the previous Friday. However, anyone expecting a similar contest would have been deluding themselves and so it provided to be.

In fairness both sides had made multiple changes from their previous outings and from that perspective it was a good exercise for the respective managers as they got game time into squad members and perhaps learned a few things about their fringe players.

Galway always looked the slicker outfit in this encounter, but Finn Harps, as they have showed on every visit to Deacy Park, have a stickability that is admirable. The home side showed their intent early on and Man of the Match Ciaran Gallagher was in action as early as the 5th minute when he tipped over Cunningham's header brilliantly.

Shanahan had a chance on 20 minutes but he blazed over when Keating and Cunningham were screaming for a cross, with the Harps defence in disarray. Three minutes later United had a gilt edged chance when Ruairi Keating was put through by Ludden's pass but he managed to hit the bar and Harps were saved.

The game entered an even more scrappy period, littered with mistakes, but not lacking in effort, before Harps had their only real effort on target in the opening half, on 43 minutes. MacMonagle rose unopposed but his header was straight at Kevin Horgan, but the angle was narrow anyway and favoured the keeper.

Harp's Manager Ollie Horgan would have been the happier at half time as his side overcame some sticky patches to be well in the game.

The second period continued much like the opening half, but Ciaran Gallagher proved what an able net minder he is with a string of saves that denied the home side. He saved from Cantwell, Cunningham and Faherty to bring the game to extra-time and then penalties by again saving brilliantly in the final minute of the additional 30 from Cantwell.

The big question ahead of the penalties was would Gallagher have the same influence in the shoot-out as he did over the course of the game. It was not to be however and ironically it was his opposite number, 18 year old Kevin Horgan, who turned the tie on its head when he brilliantly saved the first Harp's penalty from Curran.

Horgan would also go on to save from Boyle, as Folan, Connolly, Cunningham and Keating all scored to wrap up the tie.

Overall a scrappy encounter, but enjoyable nonetheless with Ollie Horgan proving once again that any team he puts out will not give up easily, while Tommy Dunne will be happy to get through this tough, tough cup tie.

Galway United: Kevin Horgan, Cormac Raftery, Marc Ludden, Paul Sinnot, Steve Folan, Gary Shanahan, Eric Foley,(Killian Cantwell, 103) Alex Byrne, (Ryan Connolly, 83) Conor Melody,(Vinny Faherty, 70) Ruairi Keating, Padraic Cunningham.

Subs Not used: Conor Gleeson, Colm Horgan, Stephen Walsh, Andrew Connolly.

Booked: Cormac Raftery (5).

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, Ethan Boyle, Keith Cowan, Tom McMonagle, Ryan McConnell, Michael Funston,(Ryan Curran, 57)  Matthew Crossan, Raymond Foy, Liam Flatly, Michael Rafter,  (Tony McNamee, 64) Kevin McHugh (Gareth Harkib,83).

Subs not used: Richard Brush, Ciaran Coll, Packie Maily.

Booked: Tony McNamee (106), Ethan Boyle (109), Gareth Harkin (111).

Referee: Robert Hennessy

Attendance: 447

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Ciaran Gallagher (Finn Harps)