League Report: Galway United 1 - 0 Shelbourne

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Shelbourne suffered a setback in their search for the Premier Division title as they lost 1-0 to Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.

Jimmy Keohane scored the only goal of the game to give the Tribesmen a vital three points in their search for Europe. For Damien Duff’s side they have seen their lead at the top reduced to three points as Derry City rescued a late draw with Shamrock Rovers.

The fans had barely taken their seats when the home side fired themselves in front. Pat Hickey nodded a long ball on, Stephen Walsh laid it off to Jimmy Keohane and the midfielder found the bottom corner from the edge of the box in the second minute.

The lead should have been doubled in the eighth minute as Ed Mcarthy played a one-two with Keohane on the left wing, the midfielder took the ball back and rattled the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Shels had their backs against the wall in the 16^th minute as the Tribesmen went on the attack once again – the defence were put under severe pressure as Paddy Barrett and Sean Gannon blocked shots off the line from Vincent Borden and Keohane respectively.

The visitors responded with chances of their own in the 24^th minute with Galway’s Killian Brouder intervening in the nick of time to send the ball behind to prevent Aiden O’Brien from scoring.

John martin went close from the resulting corner-kick as he met Ali Coote’s ball into the box but send the ball just inches over the crossbar.

Conor Kearns was put to work at the other end with a half an hour one as the goalkeeper made two saves in quick succession – first denying Pat Hickey and then recovering to deny McCarthy when the midfielder shot the rebound.

Shelbourne were in on goal again in the 38^th minute as Rayhaan Tulloch took on Greg Cunningham on the right flank, he managed to work his way into the Galway box before firing off a shot with Brendan Clarke making the save.

There were few key chances to begin the second half, but the Reds certainly started to get on top of Galway with the home side pinned in their own half for extended periods.

Mark Coyle fired well wide of the goal after the visitors put together a great team move in an extended period with the ball for Damien Duff’s side before the hour mark.

The first really close chance fell to Stephen Walsh on the 72^nd minute when a cross from Keohane fell to the striker, he really should have done better just a few yards from goal, but he blasted the ball wide.

Tulloch drew another save from Clarke in the 75^th minute as Shels continued their search for an equaliser.

There was a major flash point with ten minutes to go as substitute Liam Burt appeared to go through the back of Pat Hickey with a tackle bringing the Shelbourne bench practically on to the pitch as referee Kevin O’Sullivan blew his whistle.

No booking was given for the challenge but both Damien Duff and John Caulfield were shown yellow cards in the aftermath.

Jimmy Keohane went on the attack again with five minutes of regular time to go, the midfielder had been involved in almost everything on Friday night and he got another cross into the box with Walsh heading just wide of goal to the dismay of the home fans.

Shels had late chances with Sean Boyd heading wide in the 90^th minute and Evan Caffrey having a free-kick saved in the 93^rd minute – but the home side would hold on to claim the three points and move into fourth place in the Premier Division.

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Killian Brouder, Garry Buckley, Greg Cunningham, Colm Horgan (Robert Slevin 81); Vincent Borden (David Hurley 70), Patrick Hickey, Jimmy Keohane, Edward McCarthy (Bobby Burns 70), Conor McCormack; Stephen Walsh (Karl O’Sullivan 87).

Subs not used: Jack Brady, Regan Donelon, Conor O'Keeffe, Francely Lomboto, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe.

Booked: Stephen Walsh (21), John Caulfield (80).

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Patrick Barrett, Sean Gannon, Shane Griffin (Kameron Ledwidge 60), Tyreke Wilson (Matthew Smith 77); Evan Caffrey, Alistair Coote (Liam Burt 68), Mark Coyle (Harry Wood 60), John Martin, Rayhaan Tulloch; Aiden O'Brien (Sean Boyd 68).

Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, John O'Sullivan, Dan Ring, Dean Williams.

Booked: Shane Griffin (59), Patrick Barrett (69), Sean Gannon (72), Damien Duff (80).

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.

Attendance: 3,500 (estimate)

extratime.com Player of the Match: Jimmy Keohane (Galway United)

Sligo Rovers' Simon Power: ‘We still have a really good chance to get European football' https://t.co/o2n23CvXE2pic.twitter.com/59ZAK5Iut4

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