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the ex files

Holohan hits superb hat-trick against former club as Galway breathe some life into staying up

The midfielder joined from Cork City earlier in the campaign but spent the 2014 season with Drogheda.

Galway United 4

Drogheda United 1

John Fallon reports from Eamonn Deacy Park.

GAVAN HOLOHAN SMASHED home a hat-trick to give Galway United’s survival hopes a massive shot in the arm.

Two cracking strikes from Holohan against his former club had Galway firmly in control at the break when they led 2-0.

And he completed his hat-trick ten minutes from time just after Drogheda had pulled a goal back at Eamonn Deacy Park.

The ex-Hull City player struck for the opener after 17 minutes when he finished superbly into the top left corner from the edge of the box.

It was his first league goal since joining this season from Cork City and the 25-year old scored an even better one five minutes later.

Gavan Holohan Holohan in action for Cork City against Galway last October. Tommy Dickson; ©INPHO / Tommy Dickson/INPHO Tommy Dickson; ©INPHO / Tommy Dickson/INPHO / Tommy Dickson/INPHO

He found himself in possession 30 yards from goal before dispatching a superb shot which flew into the top right corner this time.

The Kilkenny native almost completed his hat-trick when he connected to a corner from the left from Marc Ludden 12 minutes from the break but this time his effort flew over the bar.

Galway squandered good chances in the third quarter to wrap up the issue.

And it looked like they might pay a big price when Drogheda sub Stephen Elliot pulled back a goal after 75 minutes when he made a perfect connection to Sean Brennan’s free from the right.

But Holohan eased the nerves of the home followers in the crowd of 1,028 when he expertly dispatched a rebound from the right after Drogheda ‘keeper Stephen McGuinness had done well to save with his feet after Eoin McCormack was put through by his skipper Colm Horgan.

Lee Grace sealed the win deep in stoppage time when he headed home.

Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Lee Grace, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Kevin Devaney (Gary Shanahan, 89), Alex Byrne, David Cawley, Gavan Holohan, Ronan Murray (Conor Melody, 89); Padraic Cunningham (Eoin McCormack 71).

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Colm Deasy, Llyod Buckley, Luke Gallagher, Conor Kane; Jake Hyland, Sean Russell (Sean Brennan, 67), Adam Wixted (Stephen Elliott, 58), Ryan McEvoy (Jamie Hollywood, 78); Thomas Byrne, Chris Mulhall.

Referee: James McKell (Tipperary).

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