United push League leaders to the limit

Date Published: {J}

Dundalk 0

Galway United 0

Darragh McDonagh

Galway United denied Dundalk the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Airtricity Premier Division following a hard-fought draw at Oriel Park on Friday.

Sean Connor’s return to his old stomping ground was marked by some good football from the visitors, and Dundalk will have been relieved to emerge from the fixture with a draw.

The Lilywhites began the better of the two sides with Fahrudin Kuduzovic creating the best chance of the opening exchanges with a drive from 20 yards that flew narrowly over the crossbar.

United began to find their feet, however, but Rhys Meynell and Anto Flood fired their two best opportunities of the first period narrowly wide of Peter Cherrie’s goal.

Dundalk continued to look dangerous on the break and Barry Ryan was called upon to make a crucial save close to half-time when former Spurs striker Neale Fenn rolled the ball into the path of JJ Melligan, whose shot was blocked by the United captain’s legs.

The Tribesmen began to dominate proceedings in the second half and the attractive football that had Dundalk on the back foot was typified by a move involving Karl Sheppard and Bobby Ryan, which culminated in a lacklustre shot from Gary Curran.

Dundalk were resilient in the face of the Galway offensive, however, and will have been glad to emerge from the tie with a point that sees them remain at the summit of the Airtricity Premier Division table on goal difference from Shamrock Rovers.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.