4 days ago
Galway hold firm to leave Tallaght with a point after stalemate with Shamrock Rovers
On a day of big results, Galway United reminded us that they haven't gone away you know, with Shamrock Rovers floundering before the half-season holidays.
Rovers all but emptied their bench but were left deeply frustrated on the night, Galway's defensive machination a work of wonder, and ultimately Rovers had no answer: XG will show that neither side mustered up much in terms of chances.
The calibre of players substituted throughout the night was testament to the depth of talent in the league right now but this was a triumph of hard work over ingenuity, Rovers looking less and less likely to score as darkness set in. They could have had a penalty or two but will appreciate that they did not create enough to extend their lead at the summit.
United began with an aggressive high press and Rovers took some time to get going – partly because of the well-drilled visitors, but also, perhaps, due to a shade of complacency based on their recent winning run. Most believe Rovers will now go on to regain the title, but they created little enough in the opening 45.
Vince Borden had a half-chance early on, slicing his effort wide, while both that and a subsequent Ed McCarthy effort followed sloppy Rovers play, before the home side dominated all the way up to the break, limiting United to a mere sniff of goal.
Aaron McEneff had a couple of openings. He worked Evan Watts – still preferred to veteran Brendan Clarke – with a curler on 12 minutes, before the Derry native skied wide after nice work on the wing from Danny Grant.
Michael Noonan was on the hunt for four goals in successive games but his inexperience – that or the instinct of a goalscorer – let him down around the half-hour mark. Graham Burke, who was his usual influential self, had words with the teenager: he should have squared it.
As if to arrest the game from its soporific slide, Grant had had enough as half-time approached, running with gusto at United's defence and forcing Watts to save, while Garry Buckley also had to make a block to stop Noonan hitting the target again.
Burke was forced away from goal and his effort just shy of the interval hit the hand of Rob Slevin but referee Kevin O'Sullivan rightly waved play on.
It was clear, though, that United were far from content with O'Sullivan's interpretation of Rovers' dealing with the gigantic American Patrick Hickey, who was man-handled and then some in the first half. Many words from many men were said to O'Sullivan that the big man deserved more protection.
The 6,204 who bore witness, Heimir Hallgrímsson and John O'Shea included, would have been hoping for more in the second half, with Rovers expected to lift their levels, but one got the impression John Caulfield had implored his side at the break to show a lot more offensively themselves.
Excellent last-gasp defending by Buckley saved United in the first attack of the second half before Josh Honohan flashed across goal.
Burke had a genuine call for a penalty on 54 minutes; after a sweet one-two with Jack Byrne, he collided with another Irish international, Greg Cunningham, but O'Sullivan reckoned there was not much in it.
Cunningham subsequently made way for Bobby Burns. Honohan, recently called up by Hallgrímsson for Ireland duty, was also taken off shortly afterwards.
With 20 minutes gone in the second half, Rovers were making little impact, and Burke's curling shot was always clearing Watts' post. United were beginning to believe.
Byrne and Noonan were both taken off shortly afterwards, Stephen Bradley feeling the urgent need to change things, with substitute Bobby Burns making a hash of a half-chance from a corner as United grew in hope.
It was Tuam native Rory Gaffney whose goal separated this pair when they last met; he was Bradley's latest dice throw on 76 minutes.
United's defending was utterly admirable and Slevin made a superb block with six minutes left, Burke with the trigger pulled and likely wondering would he ever work Watts, who barely had a save to make in the second half.
To sum this game up in one sequence of play, note the 90th minute, when Graham Burke had what seemed like half the United team trying to cut him off in the box. He went left, he went right, he went left; the ball was blocked.
United saw it out. This was as good a nil-all win as a visiting side will ever enjoy in Tallaght.
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Adam Matthews (Rory Gaffney 76), Roberto Lopes, Cory O'Sullivan; Danny Grant, Jack Byrne (Dylan Watts 69), Matt Healy, Aaron McEneff (Danny Mândroiu 59), Josh Honohan (Victor Ozhianvuna 59); Graham Burke, Michael Noonan (Aaron Greene 69).
Galway United: Evan Watts; Jeannot Esua, Gary Buckley, Rob Slevin, Greg Cunningham (Bobby Burns 57); Cian Byrne; Patrick Hickey, David Hurley (Conor McCormack 76), Vincent Borden (Stephen Walsh 90), Ed McCarthy; Moses Dyer (Killian Brouder 90).
