- Paul Corcoran
- Mon, Apr 03 2017
Galway United and Sligo Rovers shared the spoils on Monday night in Eamonn Deacy Park as the sides played out a 1-1 draw in Galway.
With both sides battling relegation this season, the Connacht Derby was bound to be a bit nervy for both sides.
Colm Horgan showed the first bit of attacking intent as he weaved his way into a forward position for The Tribesmen. The defender struck a high ball into Vinny Faherty and the experienced striker was able to head the ball down into the path of Murray, who struck the post.
Murray was again involved just seconds later when the ball found its way into the Sligo goal again. Vinny Faherty again got a head to the ball but this time he hit the crossbar, and Murray was in the right place at the right time to bundle the ball into the net with his head.
Sligo Rovers showed more intent after conceding the goal and the Bit O’Red had a great chance when Raffaele Cretaro found himself in possession of the ball to the right of the Galway box. The veteran striker smashed a ball at the Galway goal but Conor Winn got down quickly to make a great save.
Kieran Sadlier got an equaliser for the Bit O’Red later in the half after Stephen Folan slipped while trying to clear the ball with Raffaele Cretaro being the happy recipient of the defender’s wayward clearance. The striker approached the Galway goal with the imposing Conor Winn bearing down but Cretaro spotted Sadlier to his right and he played his teammate in for an easy goal.
The second half was an intense affair with both sides managing only to create a series of half-chances in the opening stages as both teams they tried to pick each other apart.
Sligo innovated during the second half as they trid to break the Galway defence down. John Russell played Daniel Kearns in with a perfectly timed back-heeled pass but the resulting shot was blazed over the bar.
With just over 70 minutes gone a crazy series of play ensued as Ronan Murray won the ball on the left flank. The player crossed the ball dangerously into the Sligo box putting the scare on their defence but Vinny Faherty was unable to control the ball effectively and Sligo got the ball away.
That clearance turned into a chance for the Bit O’Red. The visitors went on the counter attack but Sadlier embarrassed himself when he attempted to meet a crossed ball with his foot but only struck the air. Michael Leahy got a second bite of the cherry then for Rovers but he sent his header wide of the goal.
Late on Ronan Murray had a golden chance to win the game for The Tribesmen. Substitute Conor Melody worked the ball to the left flank. The Galway cross found an unmarked Murray at the back post, but the striker shanked the ball into the air.
Neither side could ultimately find a winner before the final whistle and the first Connacht Derby of the 2017 season finished as a draw.
Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Marc Ludden, Stephen Folan, Lee Grace; Paul Sinnott, David Cawley, Gary Shanahan, Jesse Devers (Conor Melody, 73); Ronan Murray, Vinny Faherty (Aaron Conway, 83).
Subs not used: Ciaran Nugent (gk), Robert Spelman, Declan Sharkey, Gary Kinneen.
Booked: Jesse Devers (38), David Cawley (52).
Sligo Rovers: Michael Schlingermann; Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Michael Leahy, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Gary Boylan; Craig Roddan, Daniel Kearns, John Russell (Chris Kenny, 90), Kieran Sadlier; Liam Martin, Rafael Cretaro.
Subs not used: Shaun Patton (gk), Regan Donelon, Mathew Stevens, Jonah Ayunga, Mikey Place, Mark Hannon.
Booked: John Russell (26).
Referee: Graham Kelly.
Attendance: 891
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Ronan Murray (Galway United).
