Galway United secured three points with a scrappy win over Drogheda United in Hunky Dorys Park on Friday night in the Airtricity Premier Division.
Midfielder Stephen O’Donnell got the game’s only goal after 16 minutes as he hit a free from the edge of the area leaving Paul Murphy with no chance.
The home side had several chances to equalise but were denied by a man-of-the-match performance from Galway shot stopper Barry Ryan.
Outgoing Drogheda boss Darius Kierans was forced to make wholesale changes as injury and suspensions decimated his squad.
The Drogheda native named debutant Kevin Ross in midfield with two further debutants on the bench.
Galway manager Sean Connor had the luxury of a full strength Galway squad, with Bobby Ryan operating on the left wing and Derek O'Brien named on the bench.
Drogheda’s first effort came within 10 minutes as quick throw from Ryan Brennan on the right found Glen Fitzpatrick in space.
The striker rolled the ball to debutant Kevin Ross but his rasping shot went just wide.
Drogheda almost equalised on 37 minutes as a low ball from Brennan was missed by everyone and Anto Flood arrived at the back post, but the former Shelbourne man just failed to make contact.
Sheppard almost doubled the visitors lead on 55 minutes as he was played through by a speculative long ball from Ciaran Foley.
The striker held off Eoghan Osborne and shot, forcing Drogs keeper Paul Murphy into the save.
The home side had a penalty shout waved away in the final minutes as Brennan went down under a challenge from O’Donnell, but referee Dave McKeon waved away Drogheda protests.
Ryan had the final say with two minutes remaining as the goalkeeper produced a fantastic save to deny Paul Crowley from five yards.
Drogheda United: 23 Paul Murphy, 12 Eoghan Osborne, 5 Alan McNally, 2 Corie Treacy (14 Chris Kerr 88) 7 Brendan McGill, 10 Paul Crowley13 Kevin Ross, 16 Mick Daly, 18 Glen Fitzpatrick, 19 Ryan Brennan, 11 John Flood, (20 Colm Smyth 80min)
Subs Not Used: 1 Paul Skinner, 4 Damien Brennan, 17 Stephen Murphy,
Booked: 18 Glen Fitzpatrick
Galway United: 1 Barry Ryan, 2 Seamus Conneely, 20 Paul Sinnott (3 James Creaney 45) 5 Jamie McKenzie, 6 Ciaran Foley, 7 Bobby Ryan, 8 Stephen O’Donnell,14 Rhys Meynell, 16 Gary Curran (11 Derek O’Brien 69 mins) 18 Anto Flood (4 Thomas Heary 90mins), 10 Karl Sheppard
Subs Not Used: 15 Cian McBrien, 13 Darragh Gearghty
Booked: 10 Karl Sheppard, 3 James Creaney
Referee: Dave McKeon
