- Paul Corcoran
- Sat, Jun 01 2019
Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
A bore of a first half, followed by a much more intense second period could not separate the sides in Eamonn Deacy Park as Galway United played out a scoreless draw with Cabinteely.
Save for the major talking point of Galway United manager Alan Murphy including himself in the starting line-up for the first time this season, the opening 30 minutes were just about devoid of any entertainment.
A lot of aimless ball bypassing the midfield was the prevailing theme of the first half with any semblance of a clear cut chance coming closer to the break.
Shane Doherty was the only bright spark for Galway on the attacking front, with some pacey runs during the opening period troubling the Cabinteely defence no end, including one moment when he played a long ball forward to himself.
The first proper chance fell to the away side, on the half hour mark, as Jack Watson took hold of the ball on the edge of the box.
The midfielder had acres of space and took his time over the shot and it took a good save from Kevin Horgan to keep the ball out of the net.
Jack Watson got another gilt edged chance inside the box minutes later but this time Christopher Horgan took a turn in preventing a goal and stopped this chance with a great tackle deep inside the box denying the visitors the lead.
Galway United also got let off later in the first half after a great through ball from Kieran Marty Waters.
Nugent should have intercepted the ball but the defender missed and allowed the ball through and into the path of Robert Manley.
The striker showed a lack of composure and skied the ball over the bar, sparing the home side’s blushes.
United could have squeezed a goal early in the second half with a great ball across the goalmouth from Marc Ludden.
Faherty raced towards the ball, with McGuinness caught in no man’s land, but the striker couldn’t get to the ball in time.
The experienced Faherty linked up the play all night long for the home side and peaked on the 66th minute with a gorgeous flick to play on Shane Doherty.
The forward accelerated once again but put himself at another tight angle meaning he could only shoot straight at McGuinness for an easy save.
With just over ten minutes to go Stephen Walsh played a searching cross into the Cabinteely box and Faherty rose to nod the ball into the net but he was just that bit too far gone and nodded just inches wide of the goal.
United should have score a winner late on. Marc Ludden put a great ball in from a corner with Vinny Faherty diving to meet it excellently. Stephen McGuinness had to be at full stretch to hack the ball off the line.
Minutes later, a Stephen Walsh cross could have been in the back of the net courtesy of a Cabinteely defender but he got the rub of the green with the ball striking the crossbar.
Galway United: Kevin Horgan; Christopher Horgan, Marc Ludden, Stephen Walsh, Maurice Nugent, Vinny Faherty, Cian Murphy, Wilson Waweru (Matthew Barrett, 74), Ivan Gamarra, Shane Doherty, Alan Murphy (Mark Hannon, 74) .
Subs not used: James Tierney, Colin Kelly, Ronan Asgari, Dara Costelloe, Joshua Keane Quinlivan.
Booked: Marc Ludden (81)
Cabinteely: Stephen McGuinness; Jack Tuite, Jack Watson, Keith Dalton (Luke Clucas, 69), Robert Manley, Kieran Marty Waters, Shane Barnes (Daniel Blackbyrne, 84), Eoin Massey, Jack Hudson, Sean Fitzpatrick (Zak O’Neill, 58), Jonathan Carlin.
Subs not used: Benjamin Clarke, Paul Fox, Daniel O’Donovan, James Woods.
Booked: Jonathan Carlin (62), Eoin Massey (69)
Referee: David Keeler
Attendance: 621 (official).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Vinny Faherty (Galway United).
