- Paul Corcoran
- Fri, Feb 24 2023
Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
Galway United kept their winning start to the season going with a 1-0 win over Treaty United at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.
Rob Slevin netted in the first half to secure Galway’s second win of the season in an assured performance by the home side in front of a large home crowd.
Galway United manager John Caulfield made just one change to his side from their 2-1 win over Finn Harps last weekend with David Hurley making his first start of the season as he came into the side in place of Rob Manley.
Tommy Barrett opted for two changes to Treaty United’s starting line-up from their 1-0 loss to Bray Wanderers on the opening night of the season with Dean George and Colin Kelly dropping to the bench while Andy Spain, making his debut, and William Armshaw came in to replace them.
The first flash point came in the eighth minute when Colm Horgan flicked a nice cross in from the right on to the head of Stephen Walsh, the striker connected with the ball, and it looked like his header came off the hand of Andy Spain, but referee Mark Moynihan did not award a penalty despite the protests of the home side.
Treaty went close in the 13th minute after some excellent play by Conor Barry on the left. He found William Armshaw inside the box and the midfielder showed some impressive control as he kept the ball in the air to break his marker and fired off a shot on the volley – the ball sailed just over the bar.
Ronan Manning caused serious trouble in the 18th minute with a great free-kick, a goal mouth scramble ensued but Treaty United just about managed to take control of the situation and flick the ball behind.
The home side’s first effort on target came on the half hour mark when a Regan Donelon free-kick found Walsh deep inside the box, the striker only got a light contact on the ball in a crowded area and Conor Winn was able to claim the ball easily.
It took eight more minutes for the home side to make the breakthrough – Donelon drilled the ball in from a corner-kick and Rob Slevin rose highest in the box to nod the ball into the back of the net for his first goal in a Galway jersey.
Enda Curran went close for the visitors in the 50th minute when Conor Barry planted a corner-kick in the box, the striker struck a blistering shot with his back to goal and Clarke got down to block it but only just about managed to recover the ball as it struck his chest and nearly came loose in a crowded goal mouth.
At the other end Manning should have doubled the lead in the 56th minute we he broke the challenge of Mark Walsh and was left racing on goal alone, the midfielder went for it himself but at a tight angle he fired wide of goal.
There were few chances in the 15 minutes following that chance but the ball was very nearly in Galway’s net when Marc Ludden swung a great ball into the box, the ball appeared to strike Vincent Borden and only for Brendan Clarke’s positioning it was a guaranteed Treaty equaliser.
Ed McCarthy, who impressed with mazy runs up the field all night nearly got on the score sheet in the 79th minute when an extended period of pressure saw the ball fall to him on the edge of the box, his shot drew a great save from Winn who reacted quickly to palm the ball behind at his near side.
Curran had a last ditch long range effort deep in injury time with the ball whistling inches over Brendan Clarke’s bar but Galway held on to claim the three points.
Up next for the Tribesmen is a big meeting with Waterford at the RSC on Friday night while Treaty United make the trip to Mounthawk Park to face Kerry.
Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Killian Brouder, Regan Donelon, Colm Horgan, Rob Slevin; Vincent Borden (Maurice Nugent 90), David Hurley (Rob Manley 62), Ronan Manning (Darren Clarke 76), Edward McCarthy, Conor McCormack; Stephen Walsh (Mikie Rowe 90).
Subs not used: Alex Rutter, Conor O'Keeffe, Evan O'Connor, Francely Lomboto, Ibrahim Keita.
Booked: David Hurley (52), Rob Slevin (53).
Treaty United: Conor Winn; Marc Ludden, Anthony O'Donnell, Ben O'Riordan, Andy Spain; William Armshaw (Dean George 67), Conor Barry (Alec Byrne 83), Stephen Christopher (Success Edogun 66), Lee Devitt Molloy, Mark Walsh (Colin Kelly 83); Enda Curran.
Subs not used: Shane Hallahan, Scott Kirkland, Colin Conroy, Martin Coughlan, Josh Quinlivan.
Booked: Andy Spain (28), Lee Devitt Molloy (53), Enda Curran (90).
Referee: Mark Moynihan.
Attendance: 2,500 (estimate)
extratime.com Player of the Match: Ed McCarthy (Galway United)
