Galway United 1
Shelbourne 0
Caomhán O’Connell reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
THERE WERE MORE twists and turns at the top in Terryland as Shelbourne slumped to their second defeat of the season in Galway.
The scoreline wasn’t sufficient to describe a rip-roaring contest whose outcome has reverberated around the league.
Fancied for their four-point advantage coming into the game, that Shels lead had largely evaporated inside two minutes. It could be said to have been the ideal start for a game between the league’s stingiest defences.
United sent a shockwave that registered beyond the Dyke Road when they went 1-0 up inside two minutes.
The goal packed a punch too. Its genesis was a long ball from Brendan Clarke, but that culminated in a gorgeous shimmy and strike off the right-wing from Jimmy Keohane. He found the far corner while Conor Kearns could only look on.
The damage should have at least doubled in the following minutes. Ed McCarthy crashed the crossbar after linking well with Keohane. The winger then teed up Vince Borden, whose shot was stopped on the line by Paddy Barrett.
Shels settled after this onslaught and played some pleasing passages. Mark Coyle was reassuring in midfield, Ali Coote menacing on the right. John Martin nearly levelled with a clever header from a corner. Aiden O’Brien and Rayhaan Tulloch threatened also.
United ceded territory after their dominant start but remained dangerous on the break. Pat Hickey and McCarthy drew good saves from Kearns as the half went on.
Keohane was central to the drama in the second period also. He should have done better with a free header from a corner in the 52nd minute. Stephen Walsh certainly should have done better when he was picked out by the winger. His free hit from eight yards was drilled wide.
Damien Duff and Joey O’Brien played every card they had. They brought on Harry Wood, Liam Burt and Sean Boyd to try and turn the tide.
Tulloch looked the likeliest on the left. He gave Colm Horgan plenty to worry about but the decisive moment eluded the tricky winger. Evan Caffrey came closest in the end but his free-kick was smothered by Brendan Clarke. It was enough to hand his side another famous win and throw another spanner in the title and European races.
Galway United: Clarke; Horgan (Slevin 81), Buckley, Brouder, Cunningham; Keohane, Borden (Hurley 69), McCormack, Hickey, McCarthy (Burns 69); Walsh.
Shelbourne: Kearns; Gannon, Griffin (Ledwidge 59), Barrett, Wilson (Smith 77); Coote (Burt 66), Caffrey, Coyle (Wood 59), Tulloch; Martin, O’ Brien (Boyd 66).
Referee: K O’ Sullivan.
Dam Ray, KK let us down in this one. Saw a bit in the background and looked like Fianna were very good. Your man Alan “up the Dubs” Moloney will be a happy man tonight I’m sure. Still going well with Cuala getting over the line and Watergrasshill winning for me though.
@Joe Kennedy: Did Watergrass win Joe? Was there much in it? Ballymote were well beaten but it was always a long shot. Didn’t see any gaa today.
@Joe Kennedy: Alan ‘day’ Moloney
@Ray Ridge: the Hill had a great win yeah…..won by 10 for a finish.
@robert kelly: haha….day had a great win so day had!
@Joe Kennedy: Wow
DBurke could pull a rabbit out of his hat
Very happy indeed a dublin double and our juniors in the final tomorrow and also congratulations to the ladies two into the all Ireland final put dublin were it belong at the top
@Alan Moloney: fair play Al. Na Fianna have a great chance now to make the final with Loughrea in semis.
@Joe Kennedy: Na Fianna will have far too much for Loughrea in the semi-final. Rumour has it, Loughrea still hasn’t stopped partying.
@Joe Kennedy: . Na Fianna are nowhere near good enough to take out Ballygunner if Ballygunner make it to the final. Loughrea will fancy themselves against Na Fianna.
Fair play to the dub team,a good side. KK lost out today but will certainly be back for more.
Offaly champions in charge v Dunsany in Leinster Junior Football Final – 2.06 to 0.04 at h/t
KK didnt work the ball through the lines. Too many hit and hopes! Have the players to do it. Na Fianna a well drilled team.