- Tom Clancy
- Sat, Jun 26 2021
Tom Clancy reports from the Markets Field
Galway United made it three wins on the bounce for the first time this season as they did enough to defeat a depleted Treaty United.
Padraic Cunningham’s expertly taken header proved to be the only goal of the game at the Markets Field.
The famous Limerick venue welcomed 100 fans, the first time Treaty United had paying spectators in their short history. The last time spectators attended the ground was in September 2019, as Limerick FC faced Wexford.
Treaty named four former Galway United players in their starting XI, with Ryan joined by Marc Ludden, Joe Collins and Jack Lynch. For Galway, they had Limerick native Killian Brouder at the heart of the defence.
John Caulfield’s troops now join the Shannonsiders in the play-off spots on 22 points, though they still trail runaway leaders Shelbourne by 11.
Galway hit the woodwork through Stephen Walsh after just four minutes. The verteran defender turned a cross onto the outside of the woodwork and away to safety. It was a game devoid of clear-cut chances.
In a fragmented opening half, Galway enjoyed the better of the possession, but rarely threatened former Galway stopper Tadhg Ryan.
Ryan limped out of this contest on 33 minutes, while Caulfield lost Wilson Waweru on the stroke of half time, also through injury.
His replacement, Padraic Cunningham soon became the match winner. Less than three minutes into he second half, the attacker brilliantly finished off a right-wing Conor O’Keefe cross into the net, using the post to beat replacement Shane Cusack.
It is a first defeat on home soil for Tommy Barrett’s side, but their task here was made challenging before kick-off, with only five substitutes available following a spate of injuries.
One of those substitutes was Willie Armshaw, and after showing glimpses of form in attack following his introduction, the Tipperary native exited early due to injury.
The Tribesmen were able to sit deep and hold on, putting further momentum into their promotion bid. Conor Kearns rarely threatened as he kept a second consecutive clean sheet.
Treaty United: Tadhg Ryan (Shane Cusack 34); Charlie Fleming, Anthony O'Donnell, Clyde O’Connell, Marc Ludden; Callum McNamara, Jack Lynch ©, Matt Keane, Joe Collins (Willie Armshaw 70) (Alan Murphy 85), Edward McCarthy (Kieran Hanlon 69); Matt McKevitt.
Subs not used: Alan Murphy, Adam Foley.
Booked: Clyde O’Connell (55), Charlie Fleming (66).
Galway United: Conor Kearns; Conor O'Keeffe, Killian Brouder, Stephen Walsh, Maurice Nugent; Mikey Place (Shane Doherty 72), Conor McCormack ©, Gary Boylan, Ruairi Keating (Chris Horgan 90+1); Wilson Waweru (Padraic Cunningham 44), David Hurley (Mikie Rowe 73)
Subs not used: Michael Garrihy (gk), Shane Duggan, Stephen Christopher, Chris Horgan, Colin Kelly, Alex Murphy.
Booked: Ruairi Keating (77).
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.
Attendance: 100.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Conor O’Keefe (Galway United).
