Priceless point for Galway United against champions

Dundalk FC 0

Galway United 0

HAVING had their impression of Edward Hyde a week earlier, Galway United treated us to the more affable Dr Henry Jekyll version on Friday night to earn a thoroughly-deserved point against newly-crowned league champions Dundalk in Oriel Park.

As wretched as United were against Limerick in their 3-1 defeat at the hands of the basement side, Tommy Dunne’s outfit battled from first whistle to last at the home of the champions to become just the second side to hold Stephen Kenny’s all-conquering side scoreless at home this season – the other was Longford Town back in August in what was another scoreless draw.

In doing so, they took what could prove to be a hugely valuable point in their battle for top-flight survival, and they were helped by results elsewhere over the weekend, which saw the bottom three of Limerick, Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers all suffer defeats.

That means United are now four points clear of Limerick in the automatic relegation spot; and two ahead of both Drogheda and Sligo, with the former occupying the play-off spot on goal difference from the latter.

There are just two games remaining, with United on the road this Saturday to take on Bray Wanderers in the Carlisle Grounds (5.45pm) in a game that could see them secure their spot in next season’s Premier Division.

Speaking after last Friday’s game, midfielder Ryan Connolly urged supporters to make the trip to Bray this Saturday and support the side, and the club has decided, in conjunction with the Galway United Supporters’ Trust (GUST) to subsidise buses to that game, meaning a seat on the bus will cost just €5.

It is a classy act by the club, just as the team showed class on Friday night when forming a guard of honour and applauded Dundalk players on to the pitch before kick-off, a gesture which was appreciated by the home fans in the attendance of 3,122.

However, that respect soon went out of the window as United got stuck into their hosts from the first whistle, and there will be little argument from either side with the final result. True, the hosts hit the woodwork twice, but it was Gabriel Sava in the Dundalk goal that was the busier of the two ’keepers over the 90 minutes.

Stephen Kenny made five changes to the side that clinched the title the previous week in Tallaght, only one of which was enforced, with Richie Towell missing out after being diagnosed with pleurisy.

As for United, they made just the one enforced change, with Tomi Saarelma coming in for his first start in place of the injured Enda Curran, with the Finn starting on the left wing as Jake Keegan played up front alongside Connolly, who was playing in a more advanced role than usual.

Full match report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.