Galway United 1
Drogheda United 1
GALWAY UNITED ENDED a four match SSE Airtricity League Premier Division losing streak when earning a battling 1-1 draw with Drogheda United at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Depleted by injuries and suspensions there was a youthful cut to the Galway team and the locals battled impressively in the opening period.
Drogheda, prompted by Sean Thornton, dictated most of the first half as Galway custodian Ger Hanley was forced to make a string of fine saves to deny Lee Duffy, Tiarnan Mulvenna, and Jason Marks.
At the opposite end Galway midfielder David O’Leary’s 23rd minute free kick was saved by an excellent reflex save from Michael Schlingermann.
Galway took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Jake Keegan punished a Drogheda defensive lapse when scoring following a Conor Melody header.
After the restart Drogheda tested Hanley, who again did well to deny Robert O’Reilly in the 52nd minute.
Keegan was a threat for Galway controlling an O’Leary pass before unleashing a shot that Schlingermann gathered shortly after the hour.
Drogheda levelled with 20 minutes remaining when Mick Daly supplied a firm header to an excellent Sean Thornton free kick.
Galway United: Ger Hanley; Cormac Raftery, Samuel Oji, Alex Byrne, Paul Sinnott; Gary Shanahan, David O’Leary, Aran McConnell, Antaine O’Laoi; Conor Melody; Jake Keegan.
Drogheda United: Michael Schlingermann; Mick Daly, Alan Byrne, Robert O’Reilly, Joe Gorman; Stephen Maher; Tiarnan Mulvenna, Mark Hughes, Sean Thornton, Jason Marks; Lee Duffy (Robert McKenna, 87).
Referee: G Kelly (Cork)
