Dundalk 3 - 0 Galway United

• Frankie Lally
• Sat, Sep 26 2009


Dundalk looked to have secured a 5th place finish in the league after an excellent 3-0 win over Galway United at Oriel Park tonight. Second half goals from Alex Williams, Michael McGowan and Darren Mansaram secured all three points for the Lillywhites.

Betting on the match was suspended before the game due to a rumour of a betting scandal before kick-off. However, there was certainly no evidence of this supposed betting scandal as Dundalk dominated the game from start to finish.

Dundalk started well and could have been ahead after just five minutes. After some excellent play down the right wing by Michael McGowan he laid the ball off to Chris Tuner but his effort was straight at Galway keeper Barry Ryan.

Sean Connor's men were reduced to shots from distance for most of the first half, as Galway defended well and looked to catch Dundalk on the break and at set pieces. They nearly took the lead after Gary Breen's header went inches wide following a corner from Alan Murphy.

Despite their dominance Dundalk went into the break level. Galway will have been glad to have gotten through the first half on even terms as Dundalk bombarded them with cross after cross.

Whatever Sean Connor said to his players at half-time must have worked, as they came racing out of the traps early in the second and were ahead just three minutes into the second half.

Galway will have been disappointed at the manner in which they conceded after defending well throughout the game. A Chris Turner corner was met by the head of Kevin McKinlay, who's header was blocked, but Williams was on hand to tap in to make it 1-0.

Dundalk then could have put the game to rest as they hit the crossbar twice in the space of ten minutes. First, Williams' header came back off the crossbar after good work by Rowe and then Gary Breen nearly put the ball in his own net, after a cross from McGowan.

Man of the match Michael McGowan, who gave the Galway defence a torrid time all night, then got a second for Dundalk in the 77th minute after an inch perfect pass from Turner, McGowan cut in from the left wing and scored with a clever finish through Ryan's legs.

Substitute Darren Mansaram then wrapped up the game for Dundalk in the 88th minute with a well taken goal. After a terrific run from the half- way line by Turner, he went by Breen with ease then delivered a sublime cross for Mansaram who finished well with his head.

Dundalk: Cherrie; Kelly McKinlay, Burns, Heary, Turner, Williams (Mulvena 85'), McGowan, Daly, Murphy (Kelly 86'), Rowe (Mansaram 75') Subs not used: McAreavey, Bennion

Galway United: Ryan; Connelly, O'Toole, Cooke, Breen, Russell, Faherty, Murphy, Sinnott, Kelly(Greene 55'), McBrien (Molloy 85') Subs not used: Fitzgerald; Sangi, Hanley

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Dundalk's Michael McGowan. Hard to choose between McGowan and Chris Turner but the winger just edged it. He caused Galway problems all night and eventually got on the score sheet himself in the 85th minute with a very well taken goal.

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)

Attendance: 1500 (est)