League Report: Dundalk 0 - 2 Galway United

Dundalk slipped to a 2-0 home defeat against Galway United, thanks to a second-half brace from Stephen Walsh.

The defeat, coupled with Drogheda United's draw against Bohemians, means that two points separate the Lilywhites in ninth from their Boynesiders rivals, who sit bottom of the table. Both sides have ten league games remaining, the last of which is the Louth derby at Weaver's Park on the final night of the season.

Friday night's encounter saw Galway United travel to Oriel Park on the back of four successive away defeats, culminating in a 2-0 loss in Sligo last weekend. Dundalk, for their part, had drawn at Dalymount Park the previous Friday.

Despite recording ball possession of 42% and a passing rate of just over 50%, the visiting Tribesmen posed a sharper goal threat throughout the evening. Home netminder Felix Goddard's goal led a somewhat charmed life, while League of Ireland stalwart Brendan Clarke has had much more taxing occasions at the Carrick Road venue.

At the end of a first half where endeavour and effort trumped elegance and efficiency, efforts on goal were mainly long-range shots from both sides. Referee Paul Norton's whistle - which was used more frequently in the second period - took the teams to the dressing rooms scoreless.

The second half opened with a flurry of Galway United pressure. After two unsuccessful attempts, Bobby Burns dropped a left-wing cross to the back post, where Stephen Walsh thumped a header through the gloves of Goddard from close range with less than ten minutes gone.

The keeper was fortunate not to concede a penalty later in the half as he collided with Walsh. Jimmy Keohane turned the rebound onto the crossbar when there were short odds on the former Cork City title winner finding the net.

With only a goal between the teams, Lilywhites boss Jon Daly turned to his bench, introducing striker Eoin Kenny at the expense of Jad Hakiki. The extra presence up front almost paid dividends soon after his arrival, as clever combination play from Kenny, Jamie Gullan, and Daryl Horgan saw the ball break for Robbie Benson in the box, but his driven effort was blocked by Conor McCormack.

The substitutes continued to arrive for Dundalk, including young on-loan striker Josh O'Connor, who made his debut for the club - one of 22 players to do so this season.

Despite the increased attacking presence for the home side, they were restricted to one long-range effort on target throughout the 90 minutes - from ex-Galway United midfielder Aodh Dervin with half an hour to go.

Indeed, it was the visitors who came closest to increasing their lead as replacement David Hurley cracked the post with an angled drive on 82 minutes. His teammate Walsh went one better as the clock ticked down to full-time.

Winger Karl O’Sullivan skipped to the byline on the right-hand side, and his cross was met by Galway’s powerful frontman, who crashed the ball into the net for his second of the game, sealing a third successive 2-0 victory for the Tribesmen over the Railwaymen, who are now staring down the tracks on a journey towards the First Division.

Dundalk: Felix Goddard; Mayowa Animasahun, Andrew Boyle, Ryan O'Kane (Robert Mahon 75); Robert Benson (Scott McGill 76), Aodh Dervin, Daryl Horgan, John Mountney, Daniel Pike; Jamie Gullan (Josh O'Connor 76), Jad Hakiki (Eoin Kenny 62).

Subs not used: Ross Munro, Luke Mulligan, Hayden Cann, Sean Keogh, Bobby Faulkner.

Booked: Josh O'Connor (84).

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Killian Brouder, Garry Buckley, Jeannot Esua (Colm Horgan 82), Patrick Hickey; Vincent Borden, Bobby Burns, Jimmy Keohane (Karl O’Sullivan 82), Conor McCormack (Conor O'Keeffe 82); Edward McCarthy (Greg Cunningham 82), Stephen Walsh.

Subs not used: Jack Brady, Robert Slevin, David Hurley, Francely Lomboto, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe.

Booked: Patrick Hickey (64), Killian Brouder (66), Bobby Burns (90).

Referee: Paul Norton

extratime.com Player of the Match: Stephen Walsh