Keegan’s early goal enough for sluggish United

GALWAY UNITED              1

 NORTH END UNITED        0

IT wasn’t pretty, but Jake Keegan’s early strike proved just enough to edge Galway United into the next round of the FAI Cup against battling Wexford junior outfit North End United at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.

Just three minutes in United got off to a perfect start when Keegan collected the ball in the box and with no apparent danger, a moment of madness ensued from North End goalkeeper Lee Walker.

Walker chose to leave his line to try and close Keegan down, but the American simply flicked the ball past him and slotted it into the net from an acute angle to give the home the early incentive.

The hosts immediately went 1/50 favourites to win the tie but the floodgates failed to open as a drab game of football unfolded in front of a lower than average crowd of 642 on the Dyke Road.

The next moment of note didn’t arrive for another 13 minutes as Ryan Connolly played a neat ball through to Keegan, but his shot was well blocked by North End defender Robin Dempsey.

From the resulting throw launched into the box by Marc Ludden, Enda Curran let fly on the half-volley but it was an easy save for Wallace as the visitors were growing in confidence.

A minute later Connolly was almost made pay for a slack pass which was picked up by Paul Murphy, but his blushes were saved by Stephen Walsh who executed a perfectly timed tackle to clear the danger.

Lee Aust then provided a dangerous cross for the Wexford men before United almost doubled their lead on the half hour mark when a beautiful Connolly ball over the top was struck first-time by Jason Molloy, only for his effort to hit the post.

Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.