Soccer

Galway send Wexford further into relegation mire

Vinny Faherty’s brace was enough to separate the sides at Eamonn Deacy Park

Tommy Dunne’s Galway side came out the winners after a thrilling clash with Wexford Youths. Photo: Inpho
Fri Jul 22 2016 - 22:10

Galway United 4 Wexford Youths 2

Vinny Faherty bagged a brace as Galway United eked out a valuable victory at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Galway, who hadn’t played at home since June 3rd, were keen to impress early on with Paul Sinnott and Ryan Connolly effective in the centre of the park.

Faherty’s neat 16th minute pass released Conor Melody, but the promising youngster was denied by a fine Graham Doyle save. That was a nice footballing moment from Galway, who were subsequently rocked in the 21st minute.

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The Tribesmen failed to adequately deal with Craig McCabe’s long throw-in and Shane Dunne took advantage of the confusion slamming Wexford ahead.

Within 90 seconds Galway were back trading on terms when Gary Shanahan scored following an inviting Faherty delivery. Teenager Melody forced another save from Doyle on the half hour mark, but Galway’s perseverance was rewarded in the 38th minute when the locals scored again.

Melody was instrumental crafting space on the left to supply a delivery that was headed home by Faherty, who continued to cause the visitors’ problems. On the stroke of half-time Melody rifled another effort over the bar, but Galway were still content to depart at the interval armed with a lead.

Six minutes after the restart Connolly threaded a gorgeous pass through for Shanahan, who was denied by a combination of Doyle and Wexford defender Lee Grace.

Wexford’s cause was scarcely aided by the 72nd minute dismissal of Paul Murphy for a foul on Galway’s Paul Sinnott.

In the closing stages Youths narrowed the gap when substitute Andy Mulligan scored with five minutes remaining, but Galway responded.

Faherty decorated Galway’s triumph with an injury time fourth as Galway terminated a two month search for a top flight success.

Galway United: Winn; Horgan, Aganovic, Folan, Walsh; Shanahan, Sinnott, Connolly (Garcia, 90), Devaney; Melody; Faherty (Cunningham, 90).

Wexford Youths: Doyle; McCabe, Last, Grace; Friel (Keenan, 62), Kenny (Dempsey, 75), Bonner (Mulligan, 82), Dunne, Ledwith; Murphy, Furlong.

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).