Impressive Galway United bring Dundalk back to earth

Galway United 1

Dundalk 0

STEPHEN Kenny’s Dundalk side will go down as arguably the greatest team ever to grace the modern-day League of Ireland after cementing their place in domestic football folklore, with a 3-0 win over Champions League regulars Bate Borisov.

But when sports historians look back at the success of this phenomenal team, they might neglect to mention that momentous occasion in Tallaght was quickly followed by defeat to a young, but hungry Galway United side.

In front of a bumper crowd of over 2,500, a first half Vinny Faherty header was enough to seal a huge win for United as they defended extremely well to hold out the league champions.

The Louth outfit had the opening chance of the match when Conor Winn did well to save a powerful Darren Meenan free, and he was again dangerous with the resulting corner, doing well to find Ciaran Kilduff in a crowded box, but his header was well saved by the United goalkeeper.

Dundalk were having the lion’s share of possession, but United weren’t letting them have anything easy, with both Alex Byrne and Paul Sinnott putting in some well timed sliding tackles on Patrick McEleney and Sean Gannon just as they looked to burst through with menacing attacks.

It was an early barometer that a determined United were not going to let Dundalk come here and coast to an easy victory in front of the largest and most fired-up home crowd of the season. But hard tackles weren’t going to be enough to put off this experienced Dundalk side, and the visitors had another great chance on 17 minutes when Paddy Barrett did well to burst down the middle, before passing down the left flank to Meenan, who in turn tried to find an onrushing Kilduff.

The experienced striker, however, could only hit fresh air, with the goals at his mercy, letting United off the hook once again. The Tribesmen were almost gifted a goal later in the half when a poor back pass from Dundalk captain on the night Andy Boyle was almost intercepted by fellow captain Ryan Connolly, before Rogers did well to sweep up the danger.

As the game approached the break, United were beginning to find their stride and defender Stephen Folan came agonisingly close to the opening goal when he did well to get onto a Connolly free kick which cut open the Dundalk defence, but the Ballybane native scuffed his close range effort over the crossbar.

On the stroke of half time, United came close again, when Colm Horgan teed up Paul Sinnott for a tap in, but Rogers reacted quickly to parry the ball away for Chris Shields to clear.

Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.