Sean Connor marked his return to Oriel Park by taking a well-earned point back to the west, but the Galway manager will feel as though his side should have taken all three after producing a very impressive display against the joint league leaders.
Dundalk had injury doubts over JJ Melligan, Liam Burns, Garry Breen and Tom Miller coming into the game, but all four were passed fit to take their place in the starting 11.
Alan Cawley – making his first league start since March - replaced the suspended Stephen Maher in the middle of the park. New signing Michael McGowan was given the green light to take his place in the squad but he had to settle for a place on the bench.
The home side knew that a win would extend their lead at the top of the Premier Division to at least two points and they started on the front foot with Fahrudin Kuduzovic blasting over from 20-yards after doing well to create a yard of space.
The Tribesmen settled into the game after that and Cian McBrien picked out Rhys Mennell with a free-kick that the left back could only guide over the bar. Anto Flood then went close to opening the scoring in the 24th minute but his effort just cleared Peter Cherrie's crossbar via a deflection.
Dundalk hit back with Ross Gaynor screwing an effort wide with his right foot. The Ardee man then turned provider, curling a cross in from the left that Melligan glanced just wide on the half hour mark.
Galway skipper Barry Ryan came to his side's rescue three minutes later. Neale Fenn showed great close control to ghost past two defenders on the edge of the box before laying the ball off for the in-rushing Melligan but the goalkeeper stood up well to save with his legs.
Connor's men dominated for most of the second-half. A Flood piledriver flew into Cherrie's grasp five minutes after the restart, signalling the beginning of a very impressive spell by the side from Terryland Park.
A beautifully worked three-man move involving Karl Sheppard, Bobby Ryan and Gary Curran ended with the number 16 drilling a low effort just past the upright. Cian McBrien then had a sighting of goal after beating Alan Cawley on the edge of the box but his shot lacked conviction.
Dundalk looked bereft of ideas and even the 68th minute introduction of McGowan couldn't spark them into life late on. The result leaves the Lilywhites joint top of the pile with Shamrock Rovers.
DUNDALK: 1 Peter Cherrie; 2 Shaun Kelly, 5 Garry Breen, 6 Liam Burns (captain), 3 Wayne Hatswell; 4 Tom Miller, 8 Alan Cawley (23 Michael McGowan, 68 mins); 14 JJ Melligan; 9 Fahrudin Kuduzovic, 11 Ross Gaynor; 10 Neale Fenn (17 Tiarnan Mulvenna, 84 mins).
Subs not used: 15 Ciaran McGuigan,, 19 Johnny Breen, 22 Matt Gregg,.
Booked: none.
Sent-off: none.
GALWAY UNITED: 1 Barry Ryan (captain); 2 Seamus Coneely (4 Thomas Heary, 53 mins), 5 Jamie McKenzie, 20 Paul Sinnott, 14 Rhys Mennell; 7 Bobby Ryan, 16 Gary Curran, 6 Ciaran Foley, 17 Cian McBrien (3 James Creaney, 70 mins); 18 Anto Flood (15 Tom King, 85 mins), 10 Karl Sheppard.
Subs not used: 9 Jason Molloy, 11 Johnathon Keane.
Booked: Meynell, 38 mins.
Sent-off: none.
REFEREE: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
