Galway United 2
Dundalk 1
John Fallon reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
SHANE KEEGAN FINALLY secured his first win as Galway United manager with a shock victory over reigning champions Dundalk at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Galway United had lost four games in the league this season and this victory comes as a timely boost to their survival hopes.
Gary Shanahan blasted a 93rd-minute winner after Vinny Faherty scored his first goal of the season for a first-half lead, and David McMillan equalised for Dundalk.
Dundalk were well on top in the first half but it was 1-1 at the break. The Galway defence was brilliant and both Stephen Folan and Lee Grace made important clearances early on.
Goalkeeper Conor Winn was also on form and cut out Dane Massey’s speculative chip before Galway took the lead against the run of play.
Dundalk won 4-1 the last time these sides met but before that Galway had a surprise 1-0 victory in Terryland. And Faherty finished off a Ronan Murray delivery in the 25th minute but that lead was short-lived.
Jamie McGrath shot wide of Winn’s left post before McMillan goaled in the 36th minute. Brian Gatland gave the pass and the Dundalk striker scored from a tight angle. McGrath had another chance before half-time, but Winn did well to tip it over and it was level at the break.
The Dundalk winger had another chance to put his side ahead after half-time but he missed the ball completely when Michael Duffy’s cross had him in the clear.
Winn saved from the impressive McEleney and substitute John Mountney shot wide but Shanahan scored the winner for Galway at the death.
Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Lee Grace, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, David Cawley, Gavin Holohan (Paul Sinnott 92), Kevin Devaney; Ronan Murray (Jesse Devers 83), Vinny Faherty (Padraic Cunningham 86).
Dundalk: Gary Rogers, Niclas Vemmelund (John Mountney 72), Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Stephen O’Donnell, Jamie McGrath (Ciaran Kilduff 79), Patrick McEleney, Michael Duffy; David McMillan (Thomas Stewart 84).
Referee: Ben Connolly (Dublin).
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