SD Galway win again to close within point of Mervue United

Date Published: 20-Aug-2012

SD Galway 3

Athlone Town 0

SD Galway were full value for their win over Athlone Town on Friday night last at Terryland Park – now called Eamon Deacy Park – to move within a point of arch-rivals Mervue United at the foot of the First Division table.

The opening 10 minutes were dominated by the home side with Mixie Harty particularly prominent in the midfield, while Brian Gaffney looked dangerous when in possession. Gradually the visitors eased themselves onto the game, forced a couple of corners and had a long shot capable dealt with by James Keane.

The visitor’s task became a lot more difficult in the 20th minutes when Sean Skelly was shown a straight red for elbowing Eugene Greaney, right in front of the linesman. However Athlone seemed overcome the loss of a player and defended well, while breaking quickly with Barry O’Mahony doing well in the middle of the field. Athlone were happy to head in at the break all-square.

SD started with real purpose in the second period and put together several passing movements which stretched the Athlone rearguard, with Harty and Jakub Tomanica particularly prominent.

The breakthrough came on 50 minutes, when Greaney strode forward from his left position and drove an unstoppable shot to the net off the underside of the bar from 30 yards. Five minutes later it should have been two, but Gaffney’s shot rose high over the bar.

Athlone had brought on Noel McGee and Mark Sherlock by then in an effort to get back on terms, but they found themselves down to nine men on the 65th minute when Niall Scullion took Gaffney out of the game when he was clean through. It looked a cast iron penalty as well, by the referee adjudged the foul to have taken place two yards outside the box – Gaffney coolly planted the free in the back of the net for 2-0.

SD Galway were now in the ascendency in all departments and sensibly held the ball while Athlone battled valiantly to avoid a drubbing. The third goal came with five minute left for play and it was Gaffney again who was involved, this time setting up Mixie Harty for a well deserved goal.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.