United Blow Two Goal Lead

Date Published: 08-Jul-2008

NOW while the exit door is open to every player in the Galway United squad as balancing the budget seems to be the most important factor, the response of the playing personnel has been impressive as they concentrate on footballing matters as they should and to their credit have continued to maintain a new work ethic on the park.

A 3-0 midweek win over Bray Wanderers in the League Cup gave the side a confidence boost as they headed to Turners Cross for this Eircom League tie on Friday evening and goals either side of the reak by Derek Glynn had the visitors in dreamland as they had now scored five goals in succession
and conceded none.

However, the bubble was to burst eventually as Cork scored two in five minutes to level matters and what could be considered as a harsh late penalty sealed Galway United’s fate as they made the long journey home with nothing to show for a lot of effort.

The reality is that justice was probably done by the finish as the hosts were the better side on a dreadful night, but for a long time it looked like any point would be a good result for Utd.

For the majority of the opening half they chased shadows as Cork enjoyed the majority of possession, but a resolute defensive display maintained the clean sheet to the break.

Manager Jeff Kenna gave goalkeeper Alvin Rouse his first league start of the season and he responded in impressive fashion with a very assured performance as he commanded his area well, but unfortunately there was little he could do about the two that passed him.

The Barbados international was not around for the concession of the third as he was red carded on 80 minutes when harshly adjudged to have fouled John O’Flynn in the area and Gary Rogers was in situ as Dave Mooney blasted home the winner from the spot.

The financial difficulties that seem to have become the real talking point in the club kicked on in earnest last Thursday when regulars Mark Leech and the long serving Derek O’Brien moved to pastures new.

O’Brien in particular will be as huge loss to the side for not only was he a provider, but also a finisher as he proved with his brace in his last outing against Bray Wanderers.

The departures gave opportunities to two players who have been gathering splinters on the bench and while Ollie Fenn competed honestly in central midfield alongside Gary Deegan, he did not set the
world alight in a workman like performance.

In contrast Derek Glynn must have…