- Paul Corcoran
- Fri, Jun 23 2023
Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
Galway United won their third game in a row when they ran out 4-0 winners over Longford Town in the First Division on Friday night.
It took until the second half for the home side to break the deadlock but a brace from David Hurley and goals from Rob Slevin and Conor O’Keeffe gave United a comprehensive victory.
The Tribesmen go 13 points clear at the top of the First Division table after Waterford’s 1-0 loss to Cobh Ramblers.
John Caulfield made two changes to his side from their 2-0 win over Wexford before the mid-season break – Conor O’Keeffe and Darren Clarke came into the side in place of Francely Lomboto and Evan O’Connor with the pair dropping to the bench.
For Longford it was three changes from their loss to Finn Harps before the break, Gary Armstrong, Jamal Ibrahim and Evan Farrell came into the side in place of James Doona and Beineoin O’Brien Whitmarsh with Aodh Dervin having left the club to return to Shelbourne.
Jack Brady was called into action in the sixth minute of this context when Regan Donelon sought the head of Vincent Borden in the box – the defender floated a cross from the left with Borden deftly heading the ball at goal but it was saved.
Brady intervened twice again, first getting to the ball ahead of Darren Clarke when Ed McCarthy drilled a low cross into the box and again when Borden struck a shot at close range.
The visitors were in on goal in the 17th minute when the ball was slipped through to Cristian Magerusan – the striker having a snapshot at close range with Brendan Clarke making the save.
Longford nearly had a disaster in the 20th minute when David Hurley floated a ball in from the corner De Town’s Aaron Walsh met it with his head cracking the woodwork in the process.
Walsh made a key intervention again in the 37th minute when the ball fell to Donelon at the edge of the box – he blasted the ball at goal, but the defender made a big block to deflect the ball away to safety.
It took the home side just three minutes of the second half to take the lead – Rob Slevin with the pass from the back line to Hurley, the midfielder took the ball to the edge of the box before unleashing a well placed finish into the bottom corner for his eleventh goal of the season.
United doubled the lead in the 53rd minute from a set piece routine on the edge of the box – Conor McCormack floated the ball into the box and Rob Slevin rose highest in the area with a powerful header into the back of the net.
Brady pulled off a save of the year contender when Galway’s Donelon drilled a cross into the box on the hour mark, Stephen Walsh met the ball on the volley at close range, but the Longford shot stopper showed great reflexes to deny the striker.
United were in again in the 70th minute when McCarthy showed great skill to take a long ball from substitute Killian Brouder down with his first touch, the midfielder flashed the ball across goal but none of his teammates were there to turn the ball into the net.
O’Keeffe hit the crossbar with a header in the 74th minute from a McCormack corner, the defender got his reward just a minute later from another corner kick when he manged to get his head to ball in the crowded box again, but this time he found the net.
The Tribesmen rounded off the night with a penalty after substitute Ronan Manning was brought down deep in the box. Hurley stepped up to stroke the ball into the bottom left corner for his twelfth of the campaign.
Galway United take on Kerry at home next Friday night while Longford Town will host Wexford.
Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Regan Donelon (Oisin O'Reilly 80), Maurice Nugent, Conor O'Keeffe, Rob Slevin; Vincent Borden (Killian Brouder 66), Darren Clarke (Francely Lomboto 18), David Hurley, Edward McCarthy, Conor McCormack; Stephen Walsh (Ronan Manning 80).
Subs not used: Alex Rutter, Evan O'Connor, Mikie Rowe, Rob Manley.
Booked: Vincent Borden (23).
Longford Town: Jack Brady; Cian Byrne, Evan Farrell (Guilherme Priosti 66), Ciaran Hodanu, Gavin O'Brien (Marvin Ikharo 90), Aaron Walsh (Emmanuel James 83); Josh Giurgi, Jamal Ibrahim, Victor Serdeniuk; Gary Armstrong (James Doona 66), Cristian Magerusan.
Subs not used: Jack Harrington, Sam Murray, Cian Clancy, Gbolahan Adejumobi.
Booked: Cristian Magerusan (20), Gavin O'Brien (71).
Referee: Alan Patchell.
Attendance: 1,500 (estimate)
extratime.com Player of the Match: David Hurley (Galway United)
