Report: Galway United 2 - 0 Longford Town

Galway Utd advanced to a League Cup second round meeting with Sligo Rovers as two second half goals put paid to the determined, but ultimately limited challenge of First Division Longford Town.

A goalless first half, but not one without incident. Winger Derek O’Brien had to limp off within eight minutes, ending John Russell’s short spell up front, as Derek Glynn made an early entrance after knee trouble to partner Mark Leech up front.

Longford were first to threaten when Michael McCarthy chased a long through ball, but stand-in ’keeper Alvin Rouse cut out the danger. John Fitzgerald finally sparked the home side to life on the quarter hour mark, when he carried out from the back and fed Russell out on his new station on the left flank. Russell’s cross picked out Leech whose header was straight at Neal Gallagher.

McCarthy had arguably the best chance of the half to put the midlanders in front when a threaded pass from Colm Murray set him clear. Rouse again denied the striker, this time with a good save with his body. James O’Shea, another making a welcome return for Galway and was very unlucky to see his rasping drive on 34 minutes cannon back off the bar. Gary Deegan shot drifted over after as Galway pushed on. But McCarthy continued to threaten for the visitors, drifting past Lester before his cut back was cleared by the retreating Regi Nooitmeer.

Galway’s fifth corner in the 40th minute saw Fitzgerald denied by a fine save from Gallagher. Russell was proving to be Galway’s most potent attacking option, and was involved in a lightning start to the second half. The winger’s cross was headed narrowly wide by Leech, then, within two minutes of the restart, Russell went on a mazy run and was upended in the box by Andy Birmingham. Padraig Sutton pointed to the spot but Alan Keane’s effort was denied by a full length stop by Gallagher.

The miss wasn’t to prove crucial though, as Lester scored a goal five minutes later that will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. The centre half picked up the ball on half way and carried forward before rifling a shot from 40 yards to the far top corner for a superb opener. Again Russell provided the ammunition from the left as Stephen O’Flynn, making his first appearance of the season, almost made it two, heading just wide. Galway were now dominant in every sector, and they made the tie safe on 68 minutes when Ciaran Foley’s shot took a wicked deflection which left Gallagher stranded.

Galway closed out the game well and Russell almost capped a fine performance five minutes from time when he dragged a shot just th wrong side of the post. A much needed win for the home side, as they now look forward to a home tie with Alan Matthews’ Cork City side on Friday night.

Galway United: Alvin Rouse;  Alan Keane, Reg Nooitmeer, John Lester, John Fitzgerald (Wes Charles 68); Jay O‘Shea, Ciaran Foley, Gary Deegan, Derek O‘Brien (Derek Glynn 8); Mark Leech (Stephen O‘Flynn 63), John Russell.
Subs not used: Gary Rogers, Ollie Fenn.

Longford Town: Neil Gallagher; Colin Murray (Evan Connolly 50), Alan O’Riordan, Stephen Brennan, Andy Bermingham; Luke Hardy, Daithi Garry (Jimmy Hussey 75), Michael Hogan, Brian Kelly; Dean Barrett (Kyle Cawley 60), Michael McCarthy.
Subs not used: Kevin Crehan, Seamus Kelly.

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.
Attendance: 250
Man of the Match: John Russell (Galway United).