Conan Byrne grabbed the only goal of a lively Airtricity league Premier Division clash at Terryland Park as Sporting Fingal defeated hosts Galway United 1-0.
The Dubliners dealt with Galway United’s passionate first half
performance and hit the front in the 54th minute courtesy of Byrne’ssizzling shot.
The opening quarter was sprinkled with chances as both sides were especially eager to land an early goal considering the greasy underfoot conditions.
Five minutes in, Galway midfielder Stephen O’Donnell attempted an audacious 35-yard chip that demanded a decent save from Darren Quigley.
Fingal’s ability to break from midfield caused Galway problems during one five-minute burst.
Gary O’Neill and Conan Byrne carved out an opportunity for Eamon Zayed, who drove wide in the seventh minute.
Then Galway goalkeeper Barry Ryan needed to be alert to stop attempts from Shaun Williams and Ronan Finn as Fingal probed.
But there was a willingness to work in the Galway team and the plucky hosts enjoyed a spell of supremacy midway through the opening period.
Kenny Browne made a splendid last-gasp challenge in the 31st minute just as the pacy Karl Sheppard was about to pull the trigger.
Jamie McKenzie then forced Quigley into a save as Galway attacked, but Fingal might have nicked a goal on the stroke of half-time.
O’Neill was cute in possession when releasing Zayed, but Ryan made an excellent save to ensure the teams departed deadlocked at the break.
But that altered dramatically nine minutes after the restart when
Byrne ended a dashing run with a powerful finish that Ryan failed to catch.
Galway came close to equalising in the 68th when Derek O’Brien’s cross located Stephen Walsh at the back stick, but Quigley made a brave block.
Galway United: Ryan, Conneely, Synott, McKenzie, Meynell, O'Brien, Curran, Foley (Molloy 64), O'Donnell, Walsh, Sheppard.
Sporting Fingal: Quigley, O'Brien, Maher, Browne, Fitzgerald, Finn, Williams, McFaul; Byrne, O'Neill (Crowe 70), Zayed (Cahill, 80).
Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).
