By Jason Byrne at Eamonn Deacy Park
Galway 3-2 Limerick
Galway United edged out Limerick as Enda Curran’s double helped Tommy Dunne’s side secure their second league win of the season in a tense affair.
Curran converted a first-half penalty for United when Jake Keegan was hauled down in the box, before Limerick levelled against the run of play when Kevin Garcia slotted into his own net.
In the second half, after a host of chances and dominance, Curran finally put the hosts back in front with a fine finish before Gary Shanahan stretched their lead.
Vinny Faherty’s late header against his former club set up a tense finish but United held on.
In the opening half, Galway enjoyed the bulk of possession and had their first effort in the opening minute when Jake Keegan attempted to lob Conor O’Donnell, the ball dropping inches over.
Two minutes later, a neat through ball from Curran found Padraic Cunningham but O’Donnell was quick to react and came out to gather well.
With 15 minutes gone, Limerick produced their first meaningful chance when Ian Turner’s free was headed goalwards by Sean Russell but the home defence cleared the danger.
In the 24th-minute, however, United had a penalty as Keegan was hauled down in the box by Jason Hughes following Ryan Connolly’s corner and referee Ray Matthews immediately pointed to the spot.
Enda Curran stood up to lash home from 12 yards to give the hosts a deserved lead in front of avid supporter president Michael D. Higgins.
United continued to dominate the game with the visitors struggling to get on the ball, and Cunningham and Keegan saw chances go amiss with Galway eager to double their lead.
A slick Galway move as the break drew closer deserved a goal when at least five United players got involved and Gary Shanahan crossed for Cunningham, whose header sailed inches wide.
A minute later, Cunningham was sent through on goal again by Keegan but O’Donnell blocked and despite poking at the rebound Cunningham was this time denied by the Limerick defence and the blues cleared.
From the resulting break Martin Russell’s side drew level as Dean Clarke broke free on the right flank, and with two Limerick players in the box his low cross was turned into his own net by Galway defender Garcia.
After the restart it was more of the same as Galway continued to press and again Cunningham was at the forefront of their chances. He rounded O’Donnell early on but the angle was too tight and his shot struck the side netting.
On the hour mark, Connolly was denied by a fine O’Donnell save before Ian Turner registered Limerick’s first shot on target when Ger Hanley had to parry his effort around the post.
On 76 minutes, Galway’s breakthrough finally came when a Connolly corner fell to Curran, who found a gap in the blues defence to fire home - much to the relief of the home support.
10 minutes later Shanahan’s sublime flick made it 3-1 but Limerick were not finished – with substitute Faherty heading in minutes later against his former side to discomfort the hosts once again.
Despite some late pressure, Galway stood firm and a wave of relief flooded over Eamonn Deacy at the final whistle to end Galway’s four-game losing streak and open up a three-point gap between them and Martin Russell’s youthful side.
Galway United: Ger Hanley; Colm Horgan, Stephen Walsh, Kevin Garcia, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, David O’Leary, Padraic Cunningham (Alex Byrne 90), Ryan Connolly; Enda Curran, Jake Keegan.
Limerick: Conor O’Donnell; Sean Harding, Aidan Price, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams; Shane Tracey (Shane Duggan 67), Jason Hughes (Vinny Faherty 46), Paul O’Connor, Sean Russell, Ian Turner; Dean Clarke.
Referee: Ray Matthews (Dublin)
