Soccer
Manning is the man as Galway FC thrash Cobh Ramblers
Galway FC 4
Cobh Ramblers 0
Followers of the beautiful game have been lucky enough to see some of the best footballers this country has ever produced grace the League of Ireland over the years – players like John Giles, Mick Martin, Paul McGrath, Ronnie Whelan and Roy Keane, along with Seamus Coleman, Shane Long and our own David Forde in more recent years.
Given the way his career has gone to date, you can expect to add the name of Ryan Manning to that list in the not too distant future, and the advice is to get to Eamonn Deacy Park sooner rather than later to catch a glimpse of him before he makes the inevitable move to England.
Manning, who only turns 18 in June, was a joy to behold on Friday night and gave further proof, if it was needed, that he is destined for greatness – his vision is second to none; he has a great turn of pace; he looks of slight build but has excellent strength; and his work ethic is second to none.
He ran the show on Friday night, but in fairness to the rest of the players, it certainly wasn’t a one-man performance: Stephen Walsh scored twice and could have added at least a couple more; Jason Molloy opened his account for the season late in the game; while Ryan Connolly had his best outing in the maroon shirt from the heart of midfield.
Speaking after the game, manager Tommy Dunne was naturally delighted with the win, but he certainly wasn’t getting carried away and admitted there was still plenty of work to be done with the league’s newest side.
“We played well in spells, at different times we were a little bit sloppy in our play, but in general we played good stuff and created a lot of chances – we could have scored a few more goals, but overall we’re happy enough.
“In periods we were good, in other periods we were a little bit sloppy, but you don’t want to be too critical or too harsh on the lads – they work their socks off week-in, week-out training and playing. There will be mistakes made, we know that, but I’ll be happy to work with any lad who is prepared to put in the work that we are putting in,” Dunne said.
He admitted the early goal helped settle his side to the task at hand, and was delighted with the threat his side posed, although he admitted there were some more goals in the side on the night.
“We scored early, the boys settled down and tried to play, we had a threat all night which was important. I thought we possibly could have got a few more tonight, I think Stephen Walsh will be in agreement that he should have picked up a hat-trick, but still, there is loads of work to still be done, we’re still settling down,” he said.
Friday the 13th – unlucky for some – and Galway United will be hoping it is an unlucky night for runaway leaders Shelbourne on Friday evening. Shels, who are currently 10 points clear of second place United, are still unbeaten in this year’s First Division with 12 wins and six draws to their name.
The Tribesmen go into this week’s pivotal fixture after a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Cork City last Friday at Eamonn Deacy Park. The game had a ‘hit-and-run’ feel to it as Colin Healy’s side snatched all three points with ten minutes to go which ended United’s seven-game unbeaten league run.
BY TOM BYRNE
Even so, United replaced Treaty United in second place on goal difference after the Limerick outfit were defeated 4-1 by Cabinteely at the Markets Field.
Shelbourne have been the team to beat this season as they look odds-on to win this season’s First Division with nine games to go. Ian Morris’ side were hampered by a number of Covid cases in their squad for last week’s game against UCD, where they drew 0-0 at the UCD Bowl. It is expected that they will have players returning for their crucial clash against United at Terryland.
The two clubs have faced each other on 75 occasions. Shelbourne being victorious the more often with 39 wins, United defeating the north-Dubliners 17 times and 19 games ending in stalemate. United have hit the Shels net 86 times while the 2019 First Division winners have scored on 132 occasions against United.
The two teams played out a 0-0 draw at Eamonn Deacy Park in the first game this season, while Shelbourne had the upper hand in the reverse fixture when they overcame United 4-0 at Tolka Park in May.
Goal friendly Shels have struck 36 goals in 18 games so far this campaign, with former Shamrock Rovers man Ryan Brennan bagging ten of those. United will look to Wilson Waweru and Ruairi Keating for their main source of goals, with the latter hitting the net on seven occasions this season. Waweru brought his goal tally to six last week when he scored United’s first equalising goal against Cork City.
This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the soccer preview, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.
Galway United 2
Athlone Town 2
GALWAY United had to twice come from behind against basement side Athlone Town on Monday night to snatch a draw that was, on balance, probably a little harsh on the visiting side.
Completely outplayed in the opening 45 minutes, United had an absolute howler from visiting goalkeeper, Aaron Myles, to thank for going into the break on level terms; and then needed an equaliser five minutes from time to claim a draw against a side that came into the game having lost all four games they had played this season.
Alan Murphy’s side already find themselves nine points behind the league leaders just four games into the season, and a major improvement is needed if they are to finish in the top half of the table and inside the play-off spots.
Their central midfield was way off the mark on Monday night – both Maurice Nugent and Sam Warde were hauled ashore before the final whistle – and having abandoned the 4-4-2 formation which delivered some decent results near the end of last season, they are struggling to get quality ball into the opposition box.
With Shane Duggan expected to return to central midfield after suspension for this Saturday’s trip to Cobh Ramblers, it might be time to go with some out-and-out wingers and get some cohesion in the side.
The first couple of half chances on Monday fell to the home side, but Mikey Place didn’t get any power behind his second minute effort; while Marc Ludden was well off target subsequently.
The visitors, who had the opening half’s best player in their ranks in the guise of Galway native, Ronan Manning, went close a couple of times themselves in the ninth minute, United surviving thanks to Cian Murphy getting a block on Adam Lennon’s shot; while Kevin Horgan pulled off a ‘worldie’ to deny Joel Coustrain from the subsequent corner.
By that stage, the visitors were starting to get on top, and they took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when Manning’s corner from the left was met by Taner Dogan at the back post to head home as the United marking was, not for the first time this season, shambolic at a set-piece.
Tempers were starting to fray a little, with both sides having two players finding their way into the notebook of Dublin referee, Oliver Moran, before United were gifted an equaliser in the 41st minute.
Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune
Paul Corcorcan
GALWAY WFC notched a second win in a row in the Women’s National League when they defeated Limerick 6-1 at the Markets Field on Sunday afternoon.
A McKenna Doyle hat trick and goals from Sadbh Doyle, Chloe Singleton and Aoife Thompson helped the Galway women to a resounding win. Five of the six goals for Galway were assisted by Lynsey McKey during what was a stellar performance by the experienced midfielder.
Galway WFC are back in action at Eamonn Deacy Park tomorrow (Saturday, kick off 3pm) when they welcome league leaders Peamount United.
See full match report in City Tribune Sport.
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