League Report: Galway United 4-2 Wexford Youths

Galway recorded a welcome first win since mid-May and a first home win since April, as Vinny Faherty inspired them with a double to take all three points against Wexford Youths at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.

Wexford Youths hit the front completely against the run of play as Shane Dunne fired in a fine low effort from the edge of the box into the bottom corner on 21 minutes after Galway had forced the issue in the early stages.

Prior to the visitors taking the lead, Vinny Faherty created chances for Conor Melody and Paul Sinnott, as he played clever balls for both but neither could find the net. Melody saw his effort saved by Graham Doyle and Sinnott fired over the crossbar.

The home side responded quickly to going behind as Faherty picked out Shanahan and he side footed past Doyle two minutes later to level matters.

Conor Melody then saw his effort brilliantly blocked by Stephen Last inside the box before the home side hit the front.

Melody provided the assist as he crossed to the near post seven minutes from the break and Vinny Faherty headed in his ninth of the season for a deserved interval lead.

Galway should have added a third just after the break, as Ryan Connolly played a lovely through ball for Gary Shahahan and his shot went through Graham Doyle’s legs, but Lee Grace got back to clear the ball off the line.

That third goal did arrive on the hour mark, as Galway captain Ryan Connolly beat the advancing Doyle to the ball and curled the ball into the unguarded net after some excellent play from the midfielder had created the opportunity.

Wexford’s job was made all the more difficult when striker Paul Murphy was red carded for a rash tackle straight through the back of Sinnott on 72 minutes. But they did pull a goal back with five minutes remaining as sub Andy Mulligan made an immediate impact having just come on as he fired past Conor Winn to set up a nervous finish for the home side.

But striker Vinny Faherty settled the nerves in injury time as he raced onto an excellent ball from left full Stephen Walsh to coolly curl the ball around the advancing Doyle and just inside the far post for his tenth of the season and a welcome three points for Tommy Dunne’s side.

Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Armin Aganovic, Stephen Folan, Stephen Walsh; Gary Shanahan, Paul Sinnott, Ryan Connolly (Jose Garcia 91), Kevin Devaney; Vinny Faherty (Padraic Cunningham 92), Conor Melody.

Subs not used: Kevin Horgan (GK), Enda Curran, Killian Cantwell Jose Garcia, Alex Byrne, Cormac Raferty, Padraic Cunningham.

Yellow Cards: Melody (40).

Red Card: None.

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Craig McCabe, Lee Grace, Stephen Last; Adrien Friel (Aiden Keenan 62), Chris Kenny (Shane Dempsey 73), Jonny Bonner (Andrew Mulligan 82), Shane Dunne, Daniel Ledwith; Daniel Furlong, Paul Murphy.

Subs not used: Eric Molloy, Conor O’Keeffe, Conor Whittle, Gavin Dowling (GK).

Yellow Cards:   Kenny (57).

Red Card: P. Murphy (72).

Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).

Official Attendance: 1,006.

Extratime.ie Player of the Match:  Vinny Faherty (Galway Utd).

You can see Jimmy McElroy's pictures from the game here.