- Trevor Murray
- Fri, Aug 29 2014
On a cold and drizzly night at Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway FC overcame Tommy Griffin's battling Waterford United on a final score-line of 1-0 as they continued their push for a promotion spot.
Following an indifferent and uneventful first half, the tie eventually sprung to life with a 40th minute goal from Galway's Paddy Barrett, a spurned, controversial penalty by the Blues and a flurry of second half chances that had the home supporters on their feet more than once.
From the get-go, it was Galway's Jake Keegan who took the encounter by the scruff of the neck with a number of exciting darts down the left flank, offering the likes of Ryan Connolly and Paul Sinnott with plenty of opportunities to spray the ball forward.
Unfortunately, though, the men from the west just couldn't seem to fashion anything credible or threatening enough as their attacks came up short too often.
In fact, it took a barging run from Stephen Walsh in the 22nd minute for Tommy Dunne's men to create anything of note, but his positive charge at the back-four resulted in a shot that dragged marginally wide of Connor Gleeson's left-hand post.
Then, 10 minutes later, Galway came closest of all with a header from striker Enda Curran that Kevin Burns tipped over to safety. And again, the Waterford shot-stopper was called upon to keep his side in it with a fabulous double save from Jason Molloy and Ryan Manning after an incredibly incisive pass from Barrett.
But with only five minutes of normal time remaining in the opening half, the Deacy Park faithful finally got their reward.
After being awarded a free-kick 30-yards from goal, Connolly's beautifully floated ball into a crowded box found Barrett, who rose highest of all to nestle the ball into the back of the net. And Dunne's charges went in happiest of all at the break.
The match restarted at breakneck speed as Keegan persisted in wreaking havoc for Conor Whittle down the wing with his searing pace and uber-positive approach play.
Mind you, it was Waterford's right wing-back who proved instrumental in the most controversial moment of the tie as it was his deflected shot that forced Referee John McLoughlin to award the visitors a potential life-line in the 54th minute. After consulting with his linesman, he pointed to the spot, much to the delight of the travelling fans.
But Connor Gleeson produced some goalkeeping heroics to deny Conor Coad from the spot, palming the ball away to safety, and he was soon mobbed by his relieved team-mates. And if it hadn't been for some great blocks and clearances at the back from Brian Nolan, Griffin's men could well have found themselves even further behind as Curran, Manning and Molloy continued to look for more goals.
Although credit must go to Waterford for the way they kept fighting, looking keen, although ultimately in vain, to find an equaliser right up until the 94th minute.
Now, Galway can focus on their remaining five games with huge clashes to come against Shelbourne and Longford Town, while Waterford continue their dismal streak of nine league games without a win.
Galway FC: Connor Gleeson; Colm Horgan, Marc Ludden, Paddy Barrett, Stephen Walsh; Ryan Manning (Vinny Faherty 85), Paul Sinnott, Ryan Connolly, Jason Molloy (Gary Shanahan 61); Jake Keegan, Enda Curran (Padraic Cunningham 71).
Unused subs: Ger Hanley (gk), Alex Byrne, Robbie Egan & Cormac Raftery.
Bookings: Stephen Walsh (52), Paddy Barrett (56)
Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Conor Whittle, Shaun Corcoran, John Frost (Cormac Breslin 64), Patrick Fitzgerald; Brian Nolan, Mark Walsh (Mikie Rowe 57), Vinny Sullivan, Andrew O' Connor; Conor Coad, Ross Fitzpatrick (Ethan Boyle 57).
Unused subs: Matthew Connor & Samuel Ogayemi.
Bookings: John Frost (40)
Referee: John McLoughlin
Attendance: 738
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Jake Keegan (Galway FC)
