Galway United bring tiki-taka to the League of Ireland

It was just like watching Barcelona, as Galway United strung together a 27-pass move against Longford Town in Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday night that involved all but one of their outfield players, a move that culminated in Jake Keegan completing his hat-trick as the home side ran out 4-2 winners.

United were leading 3-0 in the 70^th minute thanks to a brace from Keegan, and a blistering strike from Gary Shanahan, when Marc Ludden intercepted a Longford Town clearance out on the left wing before, 62 seconds and 27 passes later, the ball was in the Longford Town net for the fourth time in the game.

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Every one of United’s outfield player, bar Ryan Connolly, touched the ball at least once in the move: club captain Paul Sinnott led the way with six touches, including the final pass to pick out Keegan 10 yards out, who finished the move by firing between the legs of Paul Hunt in the Longford Town goal.

“The service tonight was great, the first ball in from Jay [Molloy], the second one the ball from Ryan [Connolly], and then the third, we had a crazy amount of passes, it was ridiculous, what a goal, it was a real team performance.

“The fans were singing ‘ole for about two  minutes before the goal went in so yeah, it was a great team goal,” Keegan told Tribune Sport after the game.