United salvage draw with Moran's strike

Sligo Rovers 1

Galway United 1



Man of the match Barry Moran netted a goal that his swashbuckling display merited to ensure Galway United returned from the Showgrounds with a share of the Eircom League spoils on Tuesday evening.

In a tempestuous affair the depleted United cause was scarcely aided by a litany of elements outside the team’s control. Deprived the services of manager Tony Mannion following the death of his mother, and talisman Alan Murphy, the second-half red card handed to Conor Frawley was unjust and unnecessary.

Following a surprisingly drab opening, the contest came to life just after the quarter hour when Sligo front pair Raf Cretaro and Paul McTiernan fashioned the game's first opening. A sublime McTiernan ball released the impish Cretaro, but with only Robert Forde to beat he fired wide. The former Sligo minor footballer made amends 10 minutes later. Ollie Keogh slung over a free kick which the bustling Barry O'Dwyer thundered off the upright, but Cretaro displayed his pedigree when clipping the rebound gleefully home from close range.

The industrious Mixie Harty enjoyed the freedom of the right wing while Nigel Keady ensured Derek O'Brien was never given sufficient time or space to pose any serious threat. In the second period Keady showed his versatility with a regal central defensive performance. Despite the valiant efforts of Keady, Harty, Tony Folan, and Moran, little was seen of the visitors as an attacking force until first half stoppage time. Folan's crisp free kick was just inches too high for Moran's brow and Sligo departed for the sanctuary of the dressing room a goal ahead.

Ten minutes after the interval referee Hancock assumed centre stage. Frawley received a yellow card three minutes before the red for an innocuous tackle on McTiernan. Moments later over elaboration in the United defence proved costly. With the ball seemingly stuck in the ground Frawley was deemed to have felled Gerry Carr and Hancock dished out the red card.

Frawley's loss seemed to galvanise United and they came to life. Acting manager Jim Noone reshuffled the pack with real innovation. Harty reverted to a full back role while the combative Keady defended with admirable grit and determination in the centre.

Parity was restored in the 68th minute when Moran struck a goal that his sparkling play deserved. Sligo's Carr amazingly headed the ball into the path of Moran and the teenager venomously drove the equaliser home.

Both teams carved a succession of chances in a suitably frenetic finish - an heroic goal line clearance from Harty denied Carr. United nearly pilfered the victory when Fortune was inches away from claiming a splendid winner.

Sligo Rovers: Kelly, Rossiter (Purcell 70), O'Dwyer, Feeney, Miller, Keogh (Watson 83), Quinn, Carr, O'Brien (Williams 83), Cretaro, McTiernan.

Galway United: Forde, Keady, Frawley, Foley, Carter, Harty, Herrick, Fortune, Carberry (Geraghty 46, Lawless 78), Folan, Moran.

Ref: D Hancock (Dublin)