Limerick 1
Galway United 1
Andrew Cunneen reports from Markets Field
A LATE DAVID Cawley wonder strike ensured the spoils were shared the Markets Field in an entertaining one-all draw.
United were boosted by Kevin Devaney, Padraic Cunningham and Gavan Holohan – a plethora of talent that would enhanced any squad in the league.
The Tribesmen also brought some familiar faces back to Shannonside – Vinny Faherty and Stephen Folan had both previously lined out in the royal blue of Limerick, while Newcastle West native Gary Shanahan dropped to the bench.
Limerick didn’t make a change for the second time in succession – the same XI has now lined out in all three league games that Willie Boland has been in charge of – and they aimed to secure three top tier clean sheets for the first time in over twenty-five years.
The opening stages were scrappy, with Galway desperately trying to remain solid and looking to break through the clever runs of both Murray and Devaney when the hosts were caught in possession.
While Galway were exceptionally well organised, Limerick relied on Chiedozie Ogbene getting in behind a back three that left space down the left flank consistently.
Ogbene almost benefited as early as the fifth minute when a defensive slip in the area allowed him to go one-on-one with the towering presence of stopper Conor Winn. The teenager’s shot was weak, and the netminder cleared with his feet.
While Galway offered little in terms of attacking threat for the opening forty-five, they were frustrating the Blues.
However, a combination of a lapse in concentration and a determined Yorkshireman broke the deadlock just after the half hour.
Lee-J Lynch’s free-kick thirty-five yards from goal was floated towards the back post where Robbie Williams rose highest to power his header across goal into the net – past the outstretched arms of the Galway stopper.
Rodrigo Tosi was bossed out of the game by Galway’s three centre halves and was substituted on the hour mark.
John O’Flynn’s introduction improved Boland’s men’s link-up, but it was Keegan’s charges that had their tails up, despite not creating much in the way of clear-cut chances.
A host of substitutions threatened to bring the game into life, but it appeared as if Limerick would see out minor Galway pressure.
However, five minutes from time, a twenty-five yard belter from Cawley sent the small band of United fans into raptures behind Brendan Clarke’s goal as they took a point they probably deserved.
Limerick: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams, Tommy Robson; Paul O’Conor, Shane Duggan; Chris Mulhall (Dean Clarke, 80), Lee-J Lynch (Bastien Hery, 72), Chiedozie Ogbene; Rodrigo Tosi (John O’Flynn, 60).
Galway: Conor Winn; Paul Sinnott (Gary Shanahan, 64), Stephen Folan, Lee Grace; Alex Byrne (Vinny Faherty, 64); Colm Horgan, David Cawley, Gavan Holohan,, Marc Ludden; Kevin Devaney (Padraic Cunningham, 82); Ronan Murray.
Referee: Sean Grant (Wexford).
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