Heaney and Kelly goals turn the tide for resilient Galway

Donegal 2-7

IT’S rare to see a corner back score a goal, rarer that two would do so in the same game, and rarer still that those goals would be of such a high quality it would put the most skilful of sharpshooters to shame.

That, though, was the case in this entertaining National League clash in front of a hardcore crowd of 3,895 in arctic Letterkenny on Sunday, as defenders Johnny Heaney and Sean Kelly netted vital goals to propel Galway to a hard-earned victory.

While the standard of Galway’s fare was not always of the quality manager Padraic Joyce has demanded, it was nonetheless a game in which the Tribesmen’s showcased many fine attributes, including a high work-rate, determination and a never-say-die attitude.

The visitors could have given up on this fixture after just 42 minutes when the exceptional Ryan McHugh opened up the Galway defence and set up Ciaran Thompson for a fabulous goal. Despite the goal leaving Galway seven points in arrears – 2-5 to 0-4 – manager Joyce, an expert craftsman himself in his day, appreciated the quality of the Donegal score and applauded it on the sideline.

However, his next response, as seen already this year, was to call on the experienced Paul Conroy from the stands to re-ignite the Galway challenge. No doubt, Conroy made a significant impact when introduced — winning a plethora of frees and becoming an option for the kickout — but it was Galway’s two corner-backs that would ultimately swing this tie back in their favour.

Just a minute after the concession of a second goal, the Tribesmen netted their first as captain Shane Walsh put on the after-burners and left the Donegal defence in his wake. Coming off Walsh’s shoulder was the advancing Heaney; Walsh released the Killanin man; and the defender stuck the ball in the net.

Galway were up and at it now and in a productive 10-minute spell they tallied an unanswered 2-2, with Walsh kicking their two points. The first was a super point from play; the second was from a free, won by Damien Comer, who was fouled by Donegal’s Paul Brennan, with the wing-forward picking up a black card for his troubles.

A man down, Donegal were vulnerable and Galway duly made the most of it. Within minutes, defender Sean Kelly, who did a fine man-marking job on Michael Murphy for most of the contest, produced a super side-step to get inside the Donegal cover and he coolly slotted home a brilliant 52nd minute goal.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.