Galway United earned a vital 3-1 victory at Terryland Park as the
Tribesmen prevailed following an absorbing contest with Derry City.
A match loaded with excitement from start to finish saw Galway come from behind to claim a crucial success.
Gareth McGlynn put Derry ahead in the 26th minute, but Galway
equalised on 38 courtesy of Cian McBrien.
Seamus Conneely then set up Aaron Greene for Galway’s second goal on 41, Derry had Clive Delaney sent-off on 50 for a foul on Derek O’Brien, and the Tribesmen sealed it in stoppage time when Jason Molloy scored.
Three defeats on the spin without managing to register a goal ensured Derry were bothered by some pressure in the west. However, Galway were under duress too especially after Sligo Rovers’ winning spree which meant this encounter wasn’t short on significance.
And while Galway started without skipper John Russell there was a real honesty to how they started the match.
Derek O’Brien was busy operating behind front pair Vinny Faherty and Aaron Greene as Galway attempted to test the Candsytripes early on.
O’Brien just failed to connect with a Greene cross in the opening
minute, but Derry were a threat on the break, and Tam McManus spurned an opportunity for them.
But as the half wore on Ruairdhi Higgins’ influence increased, and
Derry took the lead in the 26th minute goal courtesy of a splendid
Gareth McGlynn strike.
The winger gathered possession on the edge of the Galway area, and skipped past Cian McBrien’s challenge before curling a delightful shot past Barry Ryan.
Galway’s response was highly impressive and Faherty twice went
close prior to McBrien’s 38th-minute equaliser.
Alan Murphy’s free-kick was only half cleared and McBrien drilled a
low shot through a cluster of bodies as parity was restored.
Galway then nabbed a second in the 41st minute when Seamus Conneely’s inviting cross was converted by Aaron Greene.
The Tribesmen attacked after the restart and Derry were reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute when Clive Delaney was dismissed for a foul on the dynamic O’Brien.
From the resultant free-kick Doherty saved a Murphy piledriver, and Garry Breen thumped the rebound wide as the action continued.
Galway sealed the win in stoppage time when substitute Jason Molloy whipped home a third following a Faherty assist.
Galway United: 1 Barry Ryan; 2 Seamus Conneely (15 Paul Synott 82), 5 Garry Breen, 6 Shane Guthrie, 21 Iarfhlaith Davoren; 16 Sean Kelly; 10 Alan Murphy, 17 Cian McBrien; 11 Derek O'Brien (14 Shane Fitzgerald 88); 9 Vinny Faherty, 19 Aaron Greene (Jason Molloy 82).
Substitutes not used: 18 John Sangi, 22 Ger Hanley.
Yellow Cards: O'Brien (48 mins)
Derry City: 1 Gerard Doherty; 2 Eddie McCallion (4 Peter Hutton 46), 3 Clive Delaney, 6 Stephen Gray, 12 Ger O'Brien; 14 Gareth McGlynn, 7 Ruaidhri Higgins, 8 Ciaran Martyn, 11 Liam Kearney (27 David McDaid 82); 20 David Scullion (19 James McClean, 46), 23 Tam McManus.
Substitutes not used: 16 Pat Jennings, 17 Barry Molloy.
Yellow Cards: Delaney (14 mins), Martyn (37 mins)
Referee: P Sutton (Clare).
