League Report: Galway United 0 - 1 Longford Town

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United are still struggling to find a first victory  of the season after Longford Town won 1-0 at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night with the winner coming seven minutes from time.

The win moved Longford up into second in the table, three points behind Cabinteely.

Aaron McCabe nabbed the goal for the visitors after a goalkeeping error by Kevin Horgan.

A minutes applause held in advance of the game to thank all of the service staff and volunteers who took part in the successful search and rescue of Ellen Glynn and Sara Feeney earlier this week. 

Ellen is the daughter of Galway United legend Johnny Glynn who scored the goal that clinched the FAI Cup for the club in 1991 - he is now the head of youth development at the club.

There was danger for Galway in the 10th minute when Dylan Grimes cut past Marc Ludden inside the box. However Kevin Farragher took charge of the situation with a perfectly timed sliding tackle to cut out the chance.

The visitors came very close two minutes later when Sam Verdon struck a cross into the box from the right flank, finding the head of Aodh Dervin. Kevin Horgan made a great save to deny the midfielder but the ball deflected to Grimes and Chris Horgan was called into action to smother the ball and deny De Town the lead.

A dangerous high ball from Farragher almost set up the home side to take the lead in the 27th minute when Shane Doherty turned on the pace in pursuit of a goal. Lee Steacy timed his run off the line just right and got to the ball to snatch it from the striker.

Maurice Nugent stole the ball in front of the Longford goal with a half an hour gone in the game. The midfielder had a great chance to nudge the home side into the lead but his shot was poor and he sent the ball wide of the goal.

 

Ludden played a dangerous ball into the Longford box from a free-kick in the 35th minute and it looked like Nugent would get a touch to nick it into the goal but it bobbled inside the area and trickled wide.

A searching ball from Shane Duggan six minutes from the break saw some trojan work out of Doherty in the forward line. The American just managed to keep the ball in from rolling across the endline while under pressure from the Longford defence. 

The forward pulled the ball back to Nugent but the midfielder took another poor shot and sent another good chance wide.

Kevin Farragher went off injured after possibly pulling a muscle after a pretty innocuous run. Murphy decided to go with a make shift centre-back by moving Marc Ludden into Farragher’s position.



Grimes attempted to take advantage of the change at the back nine minutes after the restart when he left Ludden and Timo Pathoens in his wake and crossed to Rob Manley. Manley struck his shot but Jack Lynch managed to get between the ball and the goal, allowing Donal Higgins to come in and deal with the danger.

Verdon had an effort on goal in the 71st minute after being played through by Aodh Dervin. The forward was off balance as he struck the ball at an angle and Kevin Horgan got down to smother the ball on the ground.

Doherty terrorised the Longford defence again in the 76th minute when Lynch sent a long ball up the field. Doherty got on the end of it and blazed toward goal but Steacy managed to make himself big and save the forward’s shot on goal. 

The visitors took the lead late on when Kevin Horgan went up for a high ball  with Callum Warfield. The defender forced the goalkeeper into a poor punch in the 83rd minute and the ball fell to second half substitute Aaron McCabe who was able to roll the ball into the bottom corner.

Galway United: Kevin Horgan; Kevin Farragher (Stephen Christopher 48), Christopher Horgan, Marc Ludden, Jack Lynch; Shane Duggan, Donal Higgins, Maurice Nugent (Wilson Waweru 83), Timo Parthoens (Francely Lomboto 77); Shane Doherty (Conor Barry 77), Mikey Place.

Subs not used: Conor Barry, Stephen Christopher, Matthew Connor, Vinny Faherty, Francely Lomboto, Timmy Molloy, Wilson Waweru.

Booked: Shane Doherty (16), Timo Parthoens (73),

Longford Town: Lee Steacy ; Joseph Manley, Dylan Hand (Karl Chambers 63), Shane Elworthy (Lido Lotefa 63), Michael McDonnell; Aodh Dervin, Sam Verdon, Dean Zambra; Rob Manley (Callum Warfield 63), Dylan Grimes (Aaron McCabe 70), Aaron McNally .

Subs not used: Aaron McCabe, Lido Lotefa, Joe Gorman, Luke Dennison, Karl Chambers, Matthew O'Brien, Callum Warfield.

Booked: Karl Chambers (87), Lido Lotefa (90).

Referee: Eoghan O'Shea.

ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Dean Zambra (Longford Town).

    About Paul Corcoran

    Paul Corcoran is an experienced writer and journalist and has contributed to various publications including the Galway United match programme Maroon View. He spends much of his time covering the fortunes of Galway United's teams … View Full Profile