Galway’s Oscar Traynor Cup dream over for another year

Date Published: {J}

Mike Rafferty

It was a close call in Jackman Park on Sunday but a second half spot kick converted by the hosts was enough to give Limerick a narrow victory and in the process end the ambitions of the Galway League in the Oscar Traynor Cup for another year.

On a more local level the majority of the league and cup action over the weekend was postponed, but in one of the few games played East United struck for an early match winner at home to Colmanstown and in the process go clear at the top of the Western Hygiene Supplies First Division.

Limerick League 1

Galway League 0

With both sides having defeated the Clare League in their group matches, this was a winner-takes-all contest – but while the advantage lay with the visitors as they had the better goal difference it was a game in which they could not break down a Limerick side that seldom yielded an inch.

The Galway management of Paul McGee and Noel McDonnell made five changes to the side that started against Clare. Striker Simon Murray was unavailable and this issue was dealt with by going with a 4-5-1 formation for the opening half as Barry Moran led the line on his own.

In defence Derek McWalter slotted in at right full in place of Stephen Rabbitte, while Mark Moran replaced Ger McGrath in central defence. The Tribesmen were struck a blow just before kickoff when skipper Seamie Crowe was injured in the warm up and was ruled out. Keith Ward was also left out of the midfield selection and in came Simon Walsh, Keith McHugh and Darren Kelly.

The home team were certainly the better operators in the opening quarter, but still seldom threatened Kieran Kilkelly’s goal and while Galway certainly made it more competitive as the contest progressed, they too were not exactly threatening to run riot up front in the opening half.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.