Sports
Makeshift United stop the rot with hard earned point

Galway United 1
Drogheda United 1
Cian O’Connell at Eamonn Deacy Park
CONSIDERING how ravaged Galway United were through injury and suspensions, Monday evening’s Eamonn Deacy Park encounter proved to be heartening for the diehards who witnessed a gutsy display which was enough to end a four game SSE Airtricity League Premier Division losing streak.
The fact that the smallest league crowd of the season at the Dyke Road venue of 651 attended was a real pity as the Galway United starting XI, which included three under 19 players, produced a performance that was wonderfully spirited.
Drogheda United’s physicality bothered the home team throughout the match, but only one goal was leaked which ensured Tommy Dunne’s charges eked out a precious draw.
That was achieved because of a smartly-taken Jake Keegan goal on the stroke of half-time which gave Galway a scarcely deserved advantage. From then until the finish it was always going to be a grim, uphill struggle and so it transpired.
Mick Daly’s 70th minute header restored parity and while Drogheda looked the more likelier victors in the closing stages, gritty Galway hung on in there. The commitment and character United demonstrated late on augurs well because a fascinating relegation battle ‘will go to the wire’ according to Dunne.
With Limerick FC and Sligo Rovers revitalised in recent weeks it is difficult to argue with the Tribesmen’s boss assertion. His Drogheda counterpart Johnny McDonnell shares similar sentiments too and he was impressed by the manner Galway’s youngsters settled.
A chronic absentee list meant Dunne had to give youth its fling and the results were encouraging as the three teenagers contributed handsomely. Aran McConnell was diligent and composed in the centre of the park, providing David O’Leary with an able midfield partner. Wide on the left Antaine O Laoi showed some clever touches and his early set piece deliveries were sharp also.
Conor Melody operated in a withdrawn role behind the excellent Keegan, who strained every sinew with a typically productive shift. Melody’s footwork and craft drifting effectively between the lines caused Drogheda some discomfort – his 81st minute sally was particularly classy hinting at a footballer of immense potential.
Dunne noted his contribution and stressed Melody’s innate ability to beat opponents. In the current squad that is arguably a trait that is lacking, so Melody could well see further action during the remainder of the campaign.
Following the wretched defeat against Bohemians which was stuffed with woe – a heavy loss featuring a red card and two players visiting the Mater Hospital across from Dalymount Park – Galway craved a positive start when Drogheda came to the banks of the Corrib. It is nearly what Galway got, but Samuel Oji just couldn’t get the necessary purchase on a smashing third minute O Laoi corner.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune
Galway minors continue to lay waste to all opponents

Galway 3-18
Cork 1-10
NEW setting; new opposition; new challenge. It made no difference to the Galway minor hurlers as they chalked up a remarkable sixth consecutive double digits championship victory at Semple Stadium on Saturday.
The final scoreline in Thurles may have been a little harsh on Cork, but there was no doubting Galway’s overall superiority in setting up only a second-ever All-Ireland showdown against Clare at the same venue on Sunday week.
Having claimed an historic Leinster title the previous weekend, Galway took a while to get going against the Rebels and also endured their first period in a match in which they were heavily outscored, but still the boys in maroon roll on.
Beating a decent Cork outfit by 14 points sums up how formidable Galway are. No team has managed to lay a glove on them so far, and though Clare might ask them questions other challengers haven’t, they are going to have to find significant improvement on their semi-final win over 14-man Kilkenny to pull off a final upset.
Galway just aren’t winning their matches; they are overpowering the teams which have stood in their way. Their level of consistency is admirable for young players starting off on the inter-county journey, while the team’s temperament appears to be bombproof, no matter what is thrown at them.
Having romped through Leinster, Galway should have been a bit rattled by being only level (0-4 each) after 20 minutes and being a little fortunate not to have been behind; or when Cork stormed out of the blocks at the start of the second half by hitting 1-4 to just a solitary point in reply, but there was never any trace of panic in their ranks.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
CITY TRIBUNE
United wary of the threat from Treaty

GALWAY United need to guard against any kind of complacency when they make the short hop down the M18 this Friday to take on Treaty United at the Markets Field (7.45pm).
The game is a meeting of the two form teams in the division, and as in previous meetings between the sides, will have an additional edge given the number of former United players in the home side’s ranks, and the pair of Limerick lads playing for United.
There might have been just the eight meetings between the sides since Treaty became the latest iteration to represent Limerick in the League of Ireland in 2021, and while United have yet to lose to the men in the candy-cane strips, there has never been more than a goal in four of their eight wins.
The most recent of those was back in February, when Rob Slevin scored the only goal of the game in Eamonn Deacy Park after a tough battle against a side who made a slow start to the season, before finally finding their groove in the past month.
Having taken just three points from their first six games before finally getting a win against Longford Town, they reverted to type with just one point from their next three games, but are now on a run of four wins on the spin, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one.
Their most recent win was a 3-0 victory away to Longford Town last Saturday, and they could have won by double that against the only side to have beaten United this season. That in itself is a warning.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
CITY TRIBUNE
Devon crowned Women’s Connacht Cup champions

Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty
While the Salthill Devon men’s team might have lost their grip on the Connacht Junior Cup that they held for two seasons, the club’s women’s side have picked up the mantle and on Sunday last in Headford were crowned provincial champions with a 4-3 win over Manulla.
Following midweek wins for Maree/Oranmore and Knocknacarra, the stage is now almost set for the semi-finals of the Michael Byrne Cup with Salthill Devon meeting St Bernard’s on Sunday in an outstanding quarter-final, with the winners advancing to a semi-final against Maree/Oranmore, while Colga will face Knocknacarra in the other last four contest.
Just one league issue remains to be decided, with the Championship runners-up position up for grabs, as Dynamo Blues have to win their two remaining games in order to overtake Colemanstown United who have finished their programme.
WOMEN’S CONNACHT CUP FINAL
Salthill Devon 4
Manulla 3
Ellerose O’Flaherty scored twice as Salthill Devon were crowned provincial champions with a win over a Mayo side who were losing in the final for the second year in succession.
Backboned by a number of players who previously had League of Ireland experience with Galway WFC, Devon suffered an early set back when Jess Nolan put Manulla ahead, before O’Flaherty levelled matters with a cracking finish on 20 minutes, which was quickly followed by a long-range free-kick from Aoife Walsh.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.