SOCCER: AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: Drogheda United 1 Galway United 1: THE SPOILS divided between two of the Premier Division strugglers was of little use to either side, but Galway will be the more disappointed outfit as they had chances especially in the second half to win this one.
Drogheda took the lead after seven minutes following a lovely move down the right. It all began deep in defence with Mark Nolan who sent the ball onto Mark O’Brien. He in turn slipped it into David Freeman who delivered the telling pass to Philip Hand who guided the ball home.
Not long after the goal, Hand swung a corner into the box which Brian Gannon met powerfully with his head, but goakeeper Greg Fleming was on to hand to keep the ball out. Gareth Whelan then sent a testing ball into the danger zone which Fleming flapped at, only managing to push it out to Stephen McCrossan. With the goalkeeper off his line, a little composure would have seen him score, instead he only managed to return the ball into the arms of a grateful net-minder.
Though Galway enjoyed more than their fair share of possession and forced six corners to their opponents’ one in the first half, the visitors only created a solitary clear-cut opening. Karl Moore’s corner found Seán Kelly who was afforded the freedom of the park to pick his spot but he somehow guided his header over.
It was the Kelly show when Galway equalised early on in the second half, as Shaun sent a wicked ball into the heart of the home defence which was only partially cleared to his namesake Seán who rattled the net from the edge of the box.
Late on Stephen Walsh believed he had won it for the visitors. However an offside flag ensured his joy was short-lived and Galway travelled home west with just a point.
DROGHEDA:Trimble, Nolan, Whelan, Gannon, Ekanen, Quigley (McNamara 83), McCrossan, O'Brien M (Flynn 74), Freeman(O'Brien C 68), Hanaphy, Hand.
GALWAY:Fleming, Kelly (Shaun), Walsh, Kelly (Sean), Maher, Sinnott, Ryan (Keogh 80), Cash, Yoffe (Curran 53), Murphy (Duci 22), Moore.
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
