Galway United earn battling draw as Shamrock Rovers held in scrappy Premier Division clash

The Irish Sun

a day ago

Galway United came within inches of a famous win over Shamrock Rovers as Stephen Walsh starred and Dara McGuinness struck the post in a tense, rain-soaked encounter
Shamrock Rovers put in a professional performance in Galway, but it was the hosts who came out of a scrappy game with the most credit.
United were passionate and direct and had the chances for a historic win over Rovers.
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Shamrock Rovers were held to a draw against Galway on Sunday afternoon
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Stephen Bradley's side came within inches of defeat during the LOI clash
The Hoops had Ed McGinty and the post to thank for a decent draw on the road.
It has been a difficult spell for Galway coming into the game. The club confirmed that Ollie Horgan has stepped back from his role on Saturday.
They had lost four on the bounce before Sunday's game.
Stephen Walsh was all action as soon as it kicked off. He got Dan Cleary and Adam Matthews booked, picked up a card himself and was just wide with a brilliant volley.
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His biggest moment was when Cleary clattered him on the edge of the box. It looked just inside, Kevin O' Sullivan said it was just outside and gave a free kick.
Ed McGinty saved the free-kick and dealt well with a couple of corners just after. He made more saves from Jimmy Keohane and Ed McGinty to keep the Tribesmen at bay.
The home team showed plenty of passion and pressed high up the pitch. It worked well, with Walsh, Patrick Hickey, Ed McCarthy and Keohane all on the front foot in the first half.
It took a while, but Rovers got to grips with the game. They settled after about 30 minutes and were silky on the ball. Matt Healy showed well for the ball and Michael Noonan came more into it.
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After the break, the teenager turned on the style, dropping in to pockets, picking up the ball and playing clever passes.
Rovers didn't have a lot to show for it though.
Only Roberto Lopes came anyway close in the first hour, with a header from the corner on the stroke of half-time.
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Stephen Bradley could bring in the cavalry though. Dylan Watts, Rory Gaffney, John McGovern, Danny Mandroiu and Josh Honohan all came on with plenty of time to change it.
All showed flashes of their class but none could create the chance needed.
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It came at the other end late on. Dara McGuinness got on the end of a long throw-in, but his volley came back off the post.
It was the biggest chance of a game where they were hard to come by. The rain got heavier, and it got harder to create.
Adam Matthews did have a volley in injury-time, but it sailed over to mean a valuable point for the home team was gained.
Galway United: Clarke 7; Esua 7, Buckley 8, Brouder 7, Slevin 7, Cunningham 7; McCarthy 7 (Bolger 64 6), Keohane 8, Hurley 7; Hickey 8 (McGuinness 64 6), Walsh 8 (Borden 75 6)
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Shamrock Rovers: McGinty 8; Matthews 7, Cleary 6, Lopes 8, Grace 7, O' Sullivan 6 (Honohan 57 6); Healy 7, Malley 7 (Watts 69 6), Nugent 7 (Mandroiu 65 7); Greene 6 (McGovern 57 7), Noonan 8 (Gaffney 69 6)
Referee: K O' Sullivan 6
SUN STAR MAN: Stephen Walsh