Galway United 2 - 2 UCD

• Alan Dooley
• Fri, May 21 2010


Both Galway United and UCD will be disappointed with a share of the spoils after a highly enjoyable encounter at Terryland Park finished all square. Four first half goals delighted the meagre crowd on a sweltering night in the West, as Galway ended up leapfrogging Connacht rivals Sligo Rovers in the table and moved into seventh place.

Early goals have been commonplace at the Dyke Road venue this year, and Martin Russell's side began with flair and purpose, forcing Barry Ryan into a save from McMillan before the same player had the net rippling on four minutes after Ciaran Kilduff had forced a good save from Ryan. The tap-in was composed.

Galway, without a win in three games, struggled to cope with UCD's positive approach to the 4-3-3 formation, but the gaps were there out wide as the Students tightened around the centre corridor. Seamus Conneely made hay on the right in the 13th minute but Brennan dived well to prevent parity.

Click to view a series of photos by Declan Furey
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This was achieved, though, in the 22nd minute when left full Rhys Meynell floated a cross which Brennan should have punched to half way at least, but left hang, and Anto Flood's headed touch found the net from close range via a visiting defender's touch. Karl Sheppard sheepishly tried to claim it but it was his strike partner's goal, levelling them on five apiece for the season.

With Ciaran Foley an unusually majestic presence (more known for graft than poise) in the centre of the park, Galway kept the tempo at a decent beat and got the wide men involved. Chris Mulhall was an ever-present menace in the Dennis Bergkamp role for the Belfield outfit, constantly testing the United back with crafty deliveries into space.

Centre halves Jamie McKenzie and Paul Sinnott improved as the half progressed in dealing with them, though, and Galway took the lead ten minutes before half time when Evan McMillan fell in the area and handled while prone. The linesman's flag was vertically raised double quick and Stephen O'Donnell summarily despatched the spot kick, his second of the season.

Get in to the dressing room ahead would have Sean Connor's wish at this point, but when your captain has a brain freeze with no room for error, you're plans pretty much go out the window. In dealing with a backpass close to his left post, Barry Ryan tried to be clever and evade the in-coming Mulhall, but got his feet in a twist and Mulhall will never score an easier goal after dispossessing the embarrassed 'keeper.

In fairness to him, though, Ryan recovered his dignity with a string of top class saves in the second half, first from the attacking McMillan from no distance, then from Mulhall at an angle, before Foley, deserving of a goal, struck wide on 68 minutes.

His defensive qualities were more in need though, as full time drew nearer, with O'Donnell alongside also providing the necessary steel as UCD piled forward with no thought for their own safety as they looked to pull further clear of basement danger.

Mick Leahy headed over the best of their chances, though, and Galway were left to ponder what might have been had their captain not just put his foot through the ball a minute before half time. A draw, both Galway's and UCD's fifth of the league campaign, was as fair a result as any.

Galway United: Barry Ryan: Seamus Conneely (Thomas Heary, 75), Jamie McKenzie, Paul Sinnott, Rhys Meynell; Bobby Ryan, Ciaran Foley (Gary Curran, 90), Stephen O'Donnell, Cian McBrien (James Creaney, 35); Karl Sheppard, Anto Flood.
Subs not used: Jason Molloy, Tom King.

UCD: Billy Brennan; Sean Harding, Michael Leahy, Evan McMillan, Brian Shortall; Robbie Creevy (Ciaran Nangle, 83), Greg Bolger, Paul Corry (Keith Ward, 73); David McMillan, Chris Mulhall, Ciaran Kilduff (Dwayne Wilson, 73).
Subs not used: Ger Barron, Mark Langtry.

Attendance: 824.

Referee: Graham Kelly.

extratime.ie Man of the Match: Ciaran Foley.