League Report: Galway United 0 - 0 Treaty United

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United have dropped to second place in the First Division after a 0-0 draw with Treaty United at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.

Cork City’s victory over Cobh Ramblers means the Tribesmen now trail the Rebels by one point in the promotion race.

John Caulfield made two changes to the side that ran out 5-1 winners over Bray Wanderers last weekend, Conor O’Keeffe came into the starting eleven alongside Manu Dimas in place of Max Hemmings and Ed McCarthy.

Treaty United were coming into this game off the back of a win over Athlone Town and manager Tommy Barrett made three changes to his team with Matt Keane and former Tribesmen Enda Curran and Joe Collins starting in place of Joe Gorman, Joel Coustrain and Conor Melody.

Conor Winn was tested on his return between the sticks at Eamonn Deacy Park, the former Galway United man had to track back quickly to deal with a dangerous Manu Dimas cross from the right, the imposing shot stopper just managing to flick the ball behind with his fingertips.

United were on the front foot again minutes later with an impressive passing move with Dimas spreading the ball across the field to Ronan Manning who played in Alex Murphy. The Newcastle Untied bound defender raced into the box before firing off a shot with Winn able to punch the ball clear.

The visitors came to life with just over ten minutes gone in this contest. Marc Ludden’s impressive cross to matt Keane on the endline to the right of goal should have resulted in the first score of the game when he dinked a pass to Enda Curran who had the goal at his mercy, he shanked his effort though and send the ball out for a throw.

Jack lynch got in on the action moments later with a long-range effort from the right flank, his shot nearly fooled Conor Kearns who saved with his chest and had to recover quickly to smother the ball and remove the danger.

Little happened in the rest of the half until just before the half-time whistle when Treaty broke into Galway’s half. Joe Collins played Enda Curran through into the box but the striker’s effort was claimed by Kearns.

Manning struck the woodwork five minutes into the second half when Dimas kept the ball in at the endline and flicked the ball back into the midfielder who was waiting in the box. The shot fooled Conor Winn but was just an inch too far to the left as the ball rattled the left post.

A deflected David Hurley free kick found Killian Brouder right in front of goal in the 53^rd minute, the defender nodded the ball at goal but an off balance Conor Winn managed to flick a hand at it and keep the ball out, Sean Guerins came to his goalkeeper’s aid and cleared the ball from danger.

Winn was called into action again just before the hour mark with Stephen Walsh setting Manning up with a neat pass inside the box, the midfielder rattled another shot off on goal but the Treaty netminder got his hands to the ball to deny the home side once again, in an assured performance by the former Tribesman.

Galway had the ball in the net just after the hour mark courtesy of a Stephen Walsh header, the assistant on the right wing had his flag up immediately however, it appears David Hurley’s cross went out before looping back in to his teammate.

The Tribesmen pushed for a winner when the fourth official indicated that there would be five minutes of injury time. Brouder nodded just wide of the goal two minutes beyond regular time, the home fans were off their seats just before the final whistle when Alex Murphy rattled the side netting with a long range effort as Galway struggled to a disappointing draw.

Galway United: Conor Kearns; Killian Brouder, Alex Murphy, Conor O'Keeffe, Stephen Walsh; David Hurley, Ronan Manning (Francely Lomboto, 67), Conor McCormack; Manu Dimas (Shane Doherty 83), Diego Portilla, Wilson Waweru (Jordan Adeyemo, 88).

Subs not used: Oisin O'Reilly, Charlie Lyons, Gary Boylan, Evan O'Connor, Mikie Rowe.

Booked: Ronan Manning (35).

Treaty United: Conor Winn; Jack Lynch, Marc Ludden, Sean Guerins; Callum McNamara, Matt Keane (Conor Melody, 82), Lee Devitt Molloy, Joe Collins, Stephen Christopher; Dean George (William Armshaw, 82), Enda Curran.

Subs not used: Jack Brady, Darren Nwankwo, Scott Kirkland, Martin Coughlan, Colin Conroy, Joel Coustrain, Jack Arra.

Booked: Jack Lynch (33), Callum McNamara (51), Joe Collins (57).

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

Attendance: 1,500 (estimate)

extratime.com Player of the Match: Conor Winn (Treaty United)