Mark Quigley found his 21st goal of the season but his late lead strike was not enough for Dundalk who were pegged back by Alan Murphy’s 84th-minute penalty to earn Galway United their first point since April with a 2-2 draw at Terryland Park on Friday night. The Lilywhites fell behind to an early goal from Jin Gu Kim but they came into the game after that and deservedly levelled through Johnny Breen before the break. Dundalk pressed in the second half and got their noses in front ten minutes from time when Quigley fired in. But Galway snatched a draw six minutes from time when Murphy converted from the spot after Simon Madden handled in the box.
Early strike
Dundalk manager Ian Foster made three changes to the team that were defeated by Shamrock Rovers six days earlier as Colin Hawkins (knee), Ross Gaynor (ankle) and Greg Bolger (suspended) were replaced by Cian Byrne, Mark Griffin and Breen, who made his first start since the visit of Galway to Oriel Park for an FAI Cup tie in early June. Dundalk went close in the opening moments when a dangerous free-kick from Keith Ward was punched unconvincingly by Conor Winn, with Galway’s Paul Sinnott clearing to safety. The home side hit the front on ten minutes when a hopeful ball from Eric Holland was controlled well by Gu Kim and he turned Nathan Murphy before firing beyond Peter Cherrie.
Pressure
Dundalk grew into the game and went close on the quarter-hour mark when Dean Bennett won possession and laid the ball off for Quigley, who opened his body up and curled just wide. The Lilywhites were on the attack again moments later when Jason Byrne got in behind Yob Son, and despite being forced wide he got his shot away, but Holland blocked. Before the midway point of the first half, Dundalk launched a menacing breakaway but it was brilliantly halted by a well-timed tackle from Laurence Gaughan. The Louth side continued on the front foot and, on 28 minutes, Quigley, under pressure, saw his volley go over. It should have been 1-1 just past the half-hour as Madden’s inch-perfect cross found Byrne at the back post, but with the goal at his mercy he headed wide.
Breen leveller
On 35 minutes, Winn somehow denied Bennett with a superb reaction save, Quigley’s follow-up blocked by Yob Son, as Dundalk continued to pressure their opponents. The visitors finally got back on level terms five minutes before the break when a long ball through the middle of defence found Breen and he finished beyond Winn. Galway’s plans were disrupted at the end of the half as Holland and goalscorer Gu Kim were forced off through injury. The first chance of the second half fell to Galway on 50 minutes when a good ball from Stephen Walsh found Gary Kelly and he controlled well before shooting goalwards but his effort went over the target. Moments later, Breen was almost through on goal but Gaughan again produced a crucial interception. In a lively start to the half, Dundalk and Breen threatened again after the youngster was put through by Carl McHugh, but Winn proved equal to the task.
Late drama
On 63 minutes, a long ball from Madden found Breen in behind Yob Son, the young striker muscling the Galway defender off the ball but his shot hit the side-netting. In their next effort, Quigley hit a free-kick but it was always rising over. The hosts suffered a third injury on 70 minutes as the injured Gaughan was replaced by Mikey Gilmore, who almost made an immediate impact but his shot was well saved by Cherrie. At the other end, Ward broke into the box and fired goalwards, Winn palming the ball out, with Eduardo Dusi clearing behind. Dundalk went close again on 74 minutes when Griffin got behind Yob Son but in a one-on-one, under pressure, his low shot was well saved by Winn. As Dundalk put on pressure, Breen had a chance inside the box but it was scrambled clear. The visitors hit the front on 80 minutes when Quigley stepped away from two challenges and curled to the corner of the net, but Galway snatched a point four minutes later when Murphy converted from the spot, with Dundalk’s late penalty claim turned down.
GALWAY UNITED FC: Conor Winn, Yob Son, Eric Browne, Laurence Gaughan (Mikey Gilmore 70), Eric Holland (Oscar Sibanda 45), Paul Sinnott, Bobby Ryan, Gary Kelly, Stephen Walsh, Alan Murphy ©, Jin Gu Kim (Eduardo Dusi 45+1).
Goals: J Gu Kim (10), A Murphy (84 pen).
Booked: O Sibanda (64).
Unused Subs: John Egan (GK), Ronan Caldwell, Rory Gartlan, Seán Kelly.
DUNDALK FC: Peter Cherrie, Simon Madden ©, Cian Byrne (Philip Duffy 77), Carl McHugh, Nathan Murphy, Mark Griffin, Dean Bennett, Keith Ward, Mark Quigley, Jason Byrne, Johnny Breen.
Goals: J Breen (40), M Quigley (80).
Booked: P Cherrie (81).
Unused Subs: Craig Hanlon (GK), Chris Reilly, Glen Trainor.
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).
