Soccer
O’Brien is on the spot to secure deserved late draw for Devon
Salthill Devon 1
Longford Town 1
Cian O’Connell at Drom
Ultimately it proved to be a satisfactory Friday evening at Drom for Salthill Devon, who not only took a point from their Airtricity League First Division clash with Longford Town, but they also made one too.
Throughout this campaign Salthill have been the unfortunate victims of cruel late goals which have cost them results and mean they are rooted to the bottom of the table, but the shoe was on the other foot here. It appeared as if Salthill would leave a fine match, in which they had contributed plenty, without a tangible reward, but Derek O’Brien, ever the skilful schemer, wasn’t reading from that particular script.
O’Brien had produced a typically industrious wing display repeatedly crafting chances with his mazy dribbling and didn’t deserve to finish on the losing side. He kept probing and in the fourth minute of stoppage time he was clipped in the area by Longford substitute Rhys Gorman. Though Longford protested, contact had been made, it was a penalty, and almost inevitably converted in ice cool fashion by O’Brien, the most influential attacking player on view.
A decent first half featured an encouraging start from Salthill, who grafted impressively, frustrating the visitors, who got most joy when they went direct. Salthill encountered some trouble when Longford dinked balls over the top, but other than that there was an admirable solidity to how John Brennan had his team set up.
Essentially it hinged on the intricate footwork of Graham Kelly, who was accomplished operating in a withdrawn role. Kelly knitted the play in a tidy manner dovetailing nicely with Mixie Harty and Willie Enubele, who were as honest as they were effective.
Elsewhere the guile and experience of O’Brien was evident as he dashed in from the left craving involvement. O’Brien made a significant contribution for Salthill, who still carried a threat even without the suspended Enda Curran.
The absence of Curran certainly deprived Salthill of subtlety and a clinical finisher, but they made themselves busy disturbing the Midlands side, who struggled initially. In the 10th minute Salthill spurned a gilt-edged opening when Colm Horgan’s clever left wing cross was met by Enubele, who was unable to supply the required touch.
Longford had opportunities with a David O’Neill snap-shot drifting wide, while Josh O’Hanlon failed to convert a Noel Haverty cross. They were warning signs for Salthill, who came within a whisker of taking a 27thminute lead.
Keith Quinn’s over-elaboration was nearly punished by Brian Geraghty, who had an effort smartly saved by Chris Bennion. Moments later Geraghty was forced off injured and that impacted Salthill’s approach slightly as they lacked physical presence up front for a spell.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.
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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