Ten-man Galway battled to what could be a valuable point in the race for the First Division title as they held league leaders Cork City to a 0-0 draw in front of a packed Turner's Cross.
Galway’s Ed McCarthy was shown a straight red card in the 15th minute but despite being roared on by the majority of the 6,393 in attendance - a potential record-breaking crowd for a First Division game - City couldn’t find a winner. Cork still remain a point clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
City manager Colin Healy made two changes from the side that started their 3-1 win away to Bray Wanderers two weeks previous with Ally Gilchrist and Matt Healy coming in and Matt Srbely and James Doona dropping to the bench.
Galway boss John Caulfield also made two alterations to his starting side from their last outing with Rob Manley making his first start having scored off the bench in the win over Cobh Ramblers while Max Hemmings also came in as Francely Lomoboto and Alex Murphy made way.
The visitors started the game brightly and they almost took the lead in the eighth minute but after latching onto Stephen Walsh’s scuffed hit inside the penalty area, Rob Manley’s strike was smothered by ’keeper David Harrington.
But Galway were dealt a huge blow with a quarter of an hour on the clock as they were reduced to 10 men when Ed McCarthy kicked out at Cian Bargary as he looked to lead a counter-attack.
But as they soon began to sit deeper, City struggled to break them down as they were too slow in possession as well as having any momentum halted by Healy being forced to make three substitutions due to Ally Gilchrist, David Harrington, and Josh Honohan suffering knocks ensuring a tame first half remained 0-0 at the interval.
City had used all five of their subs by the 55th minute - including Louis Britton making his debut - but despite now controlling possession, their only attempts at goal were hit from distance by Cian Bargary and a header at the near post by Cian Murphy which were both denied by goalkeeper Conor Kearns.
But led by the brilliant Conor McCormack - a former City captain - Galway continued to battle and Stephen Walsh forced Jimmy Corcoran into a great save with a close-range header before McCormack saw his corner crash against the bar.
The Leesiders went close to netting a winner late on but Coffey, Bargary and Murphy all sent shots wide before Bolger's cross needed to be tipped over as Galway hung on for a draw which could be huge at the end of the season.
Cork City: David Harrington (Jimmy Corcoran 43); Jonas Hakkinen, Ally Gilchrist (Matt Srbely 23), Josh Honohan (Dylan McGlade 43); Cian Bargary, Cian Coleman, Matt Healy (Barry Coffey 55), Aaron Bolger, Kevin O'Connor; Ruairí Keating (Louis Britton 55), Cian Murphy.
Galway United: Conor Kearns; Conor O’Keeffe, James Finnerty, Charlie Lyons; Max Hemmings, David Hurley (Gary Boylan 89), Manu Dimas (Diego Portilla 43), Conor McCormack, Ed McCarthy; Stephen Walsh, Rob Manley (Wilson Waweru 66).
Referee: Sean Grant (Wexford).
Third-placed Waterford were comfortable 5-0 winners over Cobh Ramblers.
The hosts, who earlier on Friday had confirmed the departure of Ben O'Riordan to Treaty United, found themselves two adrift at half time.
Cian Kavanagh put Waterford ahead in the 17th minute afterhe had been denied on a number of occasions early on, and Wassim Aouachria doubled their advantage as he finished from close range after Darragh Burke had palmed away Darragh Power’s effort.
Aouachria grabbed a spectacular third five minutes into the second half with Callum Stringer, three minutes after being introduced, and Junior Quitirna striking in quick succession to round off the scoring.
O’Riordan started on the bench with his new club as Treaty United earned a 2-0 win in Bray Wanderers.
Enda Curran put United ahead in the eighth minute after he was fouled for a penalty, and the same player doubled their adavantage early in the second half as he volleyed into the ground at the back post, the ball looping over Michael Kelly.
Wanderers finished the game with 10 men as new signing Joe Gorman was dismissed late on.
