Sinnott pounces in 90th minute to grab fortunate draw for Galway FC

Sales of Optrex are thought to have risen dramatically in Galway on Saturday morning to wash-out the eyes of those who witnessed a dire performance from the home side in Eamonn Deacy Park the previous night, one which got the scarcely-deserved reward of a point courtesy of Paul Sinnott’s 90th minute equaliser.

Every team can have an off-night, but the home side’s display on Friday night was so far ‘off’, it stank the place out – no wonder manager Tommy Dunne kept his players in the dressing room for so long after the final whistle.

If there are any positives to be taken from the night, it is the fact that the home side kept battling and eventually snatched a point to stretch their unbeaten run to six games; while they also made up a point on second-placed Wexford Youths, who lost at home to Waterford United, and stayed nine points behind league leaders Shelbourne, who were held to a scoreless draw at home to Shamrock Rovers B.

That’s taking optimism to new levels, however – as one supporter said after the game, he has gone home disappointed on a couple of occasions this season after home games, but Friday night was the first time he went home disgusted.

Galway were expected to win Friday’s game, especially given Dunne’s recent comments about turning displays into results. Those expectation levels rose when the visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 31st minute when full-back Caoimhin Bonner was shown a straight red card for a sliding tackle on Jake Keegan.

It was a tackle worthy of a booking, but the red looked a little harsh. Still, when you get a break like that, you have to make the most of it, so the fact the home side didn’t capitalise was yet another disappointing aspect of Friday night’s game.

At 865 people, it was one of the lowest attendances for a league game this season and for them it was a night of endurance rather than enjoyment. It is easy enough to put your finger on where it went wrong – the visitors appeared to want it more. The home side were guilty of woeful passing and over-hit crosses; of poor decision-making and a lack of commitment in the tackle; of a lack of imagination and leadership.

The match officials didn’t help the cause, with Tipperary referee Eoghan O’Shea blowing for a mind-boggling 33 free-kicks, but to blame the officials for the home side’s performance would be stretching things.

Dunne made three changes to the side which drew with Shamrock Rovers B the previous weekend, two of which were enforced. Stephen Walsh was suspended and Jason Molloy out injured, while Dunne also opted to drop the underperforming Vinny Faherty.

Into the side came Derek O’Brien and Marty Owens out wide, while Jake Keegan led the line up front, with Ryan Manning playing just behind him in the position Dunne has previously admitted is the teenager’s best.

It was a role for Manning that the fans have been crying out for, but with so many players putting in such poor displays, it didn’t pay the expected dividend. Owens was anonymous on the right wing, and while O’Brien saw plenty of ball on the opposite side, his crosses, particularly in the second-half, were constantly over-hit, which just ratcheted up the frustration both on and off the pitch.

For a full match report please see this week’s Sentinel