Dundalk still search for their first points and goals of the 2009 Premier Division campaign after a disappointing night in Terryland Park. While Dundalk did look comfortable for long periods of the match, the Lilywhites can have little complaint with the outcome. The sending off of Simon Kelly for a second yellow card proved to be the turning point. By that stage, Dundalk were defending gallantly and, with debutant Darren Mansaram making a second half appearance, stood a chance of nicking a goal. However, Galway were very impressive in the second half and looked the most likely to score. In the end, the winning margin could have been greater.

Manager Sean Connor elected to keep faith with the same eleven that starting against Bohs seven days earlier. Darren Mansaram was fit enough to take a place on the bench. The weather conditions throughout were atrocious with the swirling heavy wind and rain making it very difficult for both teams.

Dundalk were much the brighter team in the opening half hour and controlled the game comfortably. Dundalk forced a series of early corners that tested the Galway defence. With Chris Turner dominating midfield, Dundalk kept Galway on the backfoot and reduced the home side to a number of hopeful long balls that were dealt with comfortably by Burns and Heary. However, while dominating possession Dundalk failed to create any significant openings. Turner tried his luck from a long-range free-kick that went wide. Shaun Kelly and Harpal Singh were finding space on the flanks but Breen and Shane Guthrie dominated their penalty area expertely. After 38 minutes Dundalk had what proved to be their best chance of the match. Singh and Dave Rogers combined on the left with the full-back's wind-assisted cross causing Barry Ryan major difficulty as he stretched to keep the ball from going over his head into the net with the ball cleared before George O'Callaghan could capitalise on the loose ball.

Galway finished the second half strongly. After 43 minute Derek O'Brien got behind the Dundalk defence following a free-kick and smashed a shot off the underside of the crossbar before Heary completed the clearence before it crossed the line - however, the assistant had already raised his flag for off-side. Then, in the dying seconds of the half, Cian McBrien broke free but Chris Bennion made a fine save.

Dundalk made two tactical changes at half-time. Tiarnan Mulvenna replaced Shaun Kelly on the right side of midfield and Darren Mansaram replaced Declan O'Brien. Galway continued to be the more dangerous side with Turner and Michael Daly pushed back more and more and Mulvenna and Singh not having much success on the flanks. Mansaram worked hard to hold the ball up but all too often the gap between the strikers and the midfield was too big in order for Dundalk to threaten Ryan's goal.

Galway, on the otherhand, were now stretching the Dundalk defence with some fine passages of play. The Dundalk defence was superbly marshalled by Burns and Heary and they were able to catch Galway offside on several occasions. However, Galway began to create clear-cut chances with Michael McGrath shooting wide when well placed. The home side went even closer when O'Shea's cross was headed onto the crossbar by O'Flaherty with Dave Rogers clearing off the line when under pressure.

To their credit, Dundalk settled down and moved up a gear. Harpal Singh created some space and produced a great cross for the in-rushing Turner but he was denied by a superb saving tackle from Guthrie. Dundalk forced a series of corner that failed to threaten while Singh blasted high over the bar from the edge of the box.

After 73 minutes came the incident that changed the course of the match in Galway's favour. Simon Kelly, already booked for a tacked on O'Brien, again mistimed a tackle on the Galway winger. Dundalk's small squad - diminished further by the absence of Mickey Collins - was forced into a reshuffle. Mulvenna was taken off in favour of Michael McGinlay who moved to right-back. By now, Mansaram was a loney figure on his own up front as Dundalk attempted to hold out for a point. However, their resistance was broken in the 83rd minute when Jay O'Shea floated in a free-kick that was headed on by Sean Kelly and dispatched past Bennion by Breen from close range.

Dundalk attempted to rally and, subsquentely, left big holes in their defence that Galway came close to exploiting. O'Brien looked destined to score and Alan Murphy hit the post after been put straight through. Dundalk did force a few corners but failed to make the most of them. Galway celebrated three deserved points at the final whistle - Dundalk now look forward to the first Premier Division Louth Derby since 1998.

Galway United: Ryan, Conneely, McBrien, Guthrie, Breen, McGrath, Davoren, Kelly, O'Brien, O'Shea, Faherty.
Subs: Edwards for McBrien, Murphy for Faherty/

Dundalk: Bennion, Simon Kelly, Rogers, Burns, Heary, Turner, Daly, Shaun Kelly, Singh, O'Brien, O'Callaghan.
Subs: Mulvenna for Shaun Kelly (HT), Mansaram for O'Brien (HT), McGinley for Mulvenna, 75).