- Ciaran Fisher
- Sat, Oct 17 2015
Back to back league champions Dundalk played out the second 0-0 draw of their campaign against Galway United at Oriel Park. Galway avoided slipping down the table and ensured they still have a three point gap between themselves and bottom placed Limerick.
Perhaps the fixtures fell kind for Galway in the end, a week or two ago, stuttering form and a precarious position might well have had The Tribesmen dreading the long trip to Louth. But here, a much changed Dundalk side looked like it was still shaking off the previous week’s celebrations. Indeed Galway had opportunities to nick all three but there’s no denying a point away to the Lilywhites is huge at this stage of the season.
The Lilywhites lacked the fire of a team, chasing the title but they did edge out the first half albeit without their usual gusto. Dundalk looked threatening from crosses but it was all hands on deck in the Galway box and they dealt with each of the early wave of attack as they came in turn.
It was a tame first half that took a long time to get going. There was an element of sloppiness to both sides' performances. The Lilywhites lacked the fire of a team chasing the title but they did edge out the match, albeit without their usual gusto. The champions looked threatening from crosses but it was all hands on deck in the Galway box and they dealt with each of the early waves of attacks as they rolled in.
The game almost got the shot in the arm it sorely needed on 33 minutes, when Dundalk's John Mountney watched his thumping effort come off the upright. Alas that injection of intensity never really arrived.
Galway were not without their chances, Jake Keegan was involved in virtually all of Galway's best moves. He nearly got on the end of a long through ball with nine minutes played but Sava was alive to collect on the edge of his box. He was presented with a similar opportunity as the first half wound down: This time, Keegan was certainly offside but the flag stayed down; despite his fortuitous head start he looked to have left it too long to get his shot away but his effort from the end line required a good save from the Lilywhite's custodian.
Dundalk collected and attacked straight away and looked like they should have had a penalty when Sean Maguire was pushed in the box but there wasn’t to be any late first half drama. The largest cheer of the match came as the home side were still applauded off at the break – winning the league buys a certain credit.
It wasn't a night for football enthusiasts and the second half was more of the same. The players' breath was visible as they exhaled, Gabriel Sava strolled away and back to his box in an effort to stay warm and the three thousand plus crowd in Oriel struggled to warm to this game on a cold night.
Gabriel Sava was called on to snub out a few Galway counter attacks. Daryl Horgan was introduced to log horns with his sibling and almost got bragging rights when he cut in from the left and hit the post. David McMillian was also brought on to partner Ciaran Kilduff to torment the tiring Tribesmen’s defence but the deadlock couldn't be broken. Dundalk continue to look to the Aviva and a possible historic double, while Galway edge slightly clearer to safety.
Dundalk FC: Gabriel Sava, Andy Boyle, Chris Shields, Stephen O'Donnell, John Mountney (Sean Ganon 45), Ronan Finn (Roan Finn 77), Shane Grimes, Paddy Barrett, Ciaran Kilduff, Sean Maguire ( Daryl Horgan 61), Darren Maguire, Darren Meenan
Subs not used: Gary Rogers, Kurtis Byrne, Gerorgie Poynton, Dane Massey.
Galway United: Conor Winn, Ryan Connolly, Marc Ludden, Paul Sinnott, Sam Oji, Gary Shanahan, Tomi Saarelma (Conor Melody 87), Jake Keegan, Colm Horgan, Stephen Walsh, David O'Leary
Subs not used: Ger Hanley, Cormac Rafferty, Conor Barry, Andy O'Connell, Kevin Horgan.
Referee: Tomas Connolly
Attendance: 3,122
Extratime.ie MOTM: Jake Keegan (Galway United)
