- Brendan White
- Mon, Mar 17 2014
Waterford United picked up a second league point on Friday night after a 0-0 draw with league newcomers Galway FC at the RSC.
Tommy Griffin made eight changes from the midweek EA Sports Cup win against Avondale United with just Kevin Burns, Paddy Barrett and Philip Drohan keeping their places.
The Blues had the better of the opening stages and Philip Drohan missed a great early great chance when he fired over from eight yards after Brian Nolan had forced Galway keeper Conor Gleeson into a good save.
Jack Doherty was next to threaten but Gleeson again made the save after good work from Kevin O’Connor down the left. Conor Meade was then foiled by Gleeson from close range from O’Connor’s cross as the keeper continued to keep The Blues out.
Drohan’s dipping effort on 16 minutes was just over after Conor Whittle’s progress through the middle. Jack Keegan attacked for the away side after 23 minutes but Stephen Walsh saw his strike drop just wide.
Gary Delaney almost put the ball into his own net after Marc Ludden had cut in from the left and powered his cross toward the near post but the ball struck the outside of the post and wide, before minutes later Jake Keegan somehow headed over from close range.
Conor Meade had a good chance ten minutes before half time but his chance was blocked after Drohan’s cross to end the first half. Meade was first to threaten in the second half when he collected Kevin Burns’ long-range ball down the left but defensive cover cleared the chance.
Paddy Barrett went close on the hour mark but his superb in-swinging cross whistled just past the far post of Galway keeper Gleeson.
Barrett was again involved after Doherty’s quick free-kick found him on the edge of the box but again a wall of maroon blocked the chance.
Burns was on hand to keep put O’Brien’s effort before The Blues created a late chance. Burns’ long throw found Drohan on the left who raced toward goal. He got to the endline before crossing for Vinny Sullivan but he couldn’t steer his header past Gleeson.
The Blues created another chance four minutes from time – Doherty’s quick free-kick found Barrett but he saw his shot blocked down. The ball fell to Vinny Sullivan but his strike was over the crossbar.
In stoppage time Conor Whittle had one last Blues chance after Doherty’s good run across the penalty area but his effort was over the crossbar as The Blues had to settle for a point.
Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Conor Whittle, Gavin Kavanagh (c), Gary Delaney, Kevin O’Connor; Jack Doherty, Paddy Barrett, Brian Nolan (Vinny Sullivan 49), Peter White (Shane Murray 78), Philip Drohan; Conor Meade (Kynan Rocks 68).
Subs Not Used: Paul Quilty, Patrick Fitzgerald, Willie John Kiely, Matthew Connor.
Booked: G Kavanagh (57), Gary Delaney (88).
Galway FC: Conor Gleeson; Colm Horgan, Cian Fadden, Martin Conneely, Marc Ludden; Paul Sinnott, Stephen Walsh, Ryan Manning (Derek O’Brien 70), Marty Owens (Gary Shanahan 74), Ryan Connolly, Jake Keegan.
Subs Not Used: Ger Hanley, Noel Varley, Shane McGinty, Mike Elwood, Jason Molloy.
Booked: Manning (30), C Horgan (62), R Connolly (69).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Attendance: 610
