Inspired Ryan keeps Sligo at arm's length

GALWAY United goalkeeper Barry Ryan proved he is still one of the best shot-stoppers in the league with a top-class performance in the Connacht derby on Tuesday night as a Galway United side decimated by injuries held on for a gritty draw against Sligo Rovers.

Ryan was back in the side after serving a one-game suspension against Bray Wanderers the previous Friday night, and he was in sparkling form, at times providing a one-man defence against waves of Sligo attacks in the second half with a series of top class saves.

The visitors were looking for their first win at the venue in three years, and there would have been little complaint if Paul Cook’s side had found the winner as they were comfortably the better outfit on the night. However, despite the presence of Joseph Ndo, Rovers looked toothless up front, with the pairing of himself and Matthew Blinkhorn clearly not working.

It is a different story at United, where Karl Sheppard and Anto Flood have linked up brilliantly, scoring nine goals between them this season, but that partnership was missing on Tuesday night as Flood took ill in the dressing room before the game and had to cry off.

Bobby Ryan also had to pull out of the squad earlier in the day for family reasons, meaning United were missing four first-team players – Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring) and Derek O’Brien (stomach) were also absent – and could only name three substitutes on the bench.

The first half was evenly balanced, but it was a vastly different story in the second half as Sligo dominated from the first whistle, but a failure to take their chances provided ample evidence of why they have won just twice this season.

For a complete match report see page 49 of this week’s City Tribune.