Reality check for a sluggish United squad

Galway United 0Dundalk 1

KEITH KELLY AT TERRYLAND PARK

GALWAY United came crashing back down to earth in Terryland Park on Monday night following their weekend heroics against Bohemians as former manager Ian Foster enjoyed a winning return to Terryland Park.

United caused the shock of the season when beating reigning champions Bohemians in their own backyard on Friday night, but those efforts clearly took a great toll on the United squad as they, to a man, gave a subdued performance against a Dundalk side that went top of the table courtesy of the three points.

Dundalk dominated the early exchanges as United – missing the presence of Stephen O’Donnell in midfield – failed to settle into the game, but despite their dominance of both possession and territory, the visitors failed to test Barry Ryan in those early stages.

They did have the ball in the net in the ninth minute when former United player Garry Breen stole in at the back post to meet Ross Gaynor’s free-kick, but assistant referee Alan Lynch had long before raised his flag for offside.

In fact, neither ‘keeper had a save to make in the first 45 minutes, although Dundalk did go close a number of times, particularly in the 35th minute when JJ Melligan got a touch to Stephen Maher’s cross at the near post, but Paul Sinnott got a vital block to deflect the ball to safety.

JJ Melligan shot over from 14 yards in the 19th minute, sent a glancing header wide of Barry Ryan’s right-hand post a minute later, and then got on the end of Fenn’s flick four minutes from the break to have a clear sight of the United goal, but he blazed a shot wide when a simple lob of the advancing Barry Ryan seemed the better option. 

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.