Talisman OÕDonnell is spot on as United climb out of play-off zone

Galway United 2Drogheda United 1

Keith Kelly

There is an old Irish proverb that says ‘an rud is annamh is iontach’. It translates as ‘what is seldom is wonderful’ . . . or as heard in Terryland Park on Friday night, ‘thank God for that’.

Galway United made it back-to-back wins in the league for the first time this season – and won at home for the first time since April – thanks to two Stephen O’Donnell penalties that saw Sean Connor’s side move out of the relegation play-off spots for the first time this season, overtaking UCD in the table.

It was a poor performance from United – speaking after the game, Connor described it as “the worst we have played all year” – but at this stage of the season, all that counts is the result and it was a massive three points for United as defeat almost certainly condemns Drogheda to one of the play-off spots, where they will be joined by one of United, UCD or Dundalk.

UCD could have moved back above United last night if they defeated Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium, but the momentum is clearly with United. Dundalk have won just once in their last eleven games, UCD twice in the same number of games, while United have won four times over the same stretch of games, and three times in their last four.

The win on Friday night was down to the excellence of Barry Ryan in goals, and the composure from twelve yards of O’Donnell, who joined the now departed Anto Flood at the top of the United scoring charts for this season, his double on Friday night bringing to seven the number of goals he has scored this season.

“That win was a massive three points there is no mistaking that. I know we are not as poor as we showed and thankfully Stephen O’Donnell had the character to step up and did very well, and Barry Ryan made some good saves and showed what a good ‘keeper he is,” Connor said.

It was little surprise that United struggled, as they were missing defenders Paul Sinnott and Rhys Meynell through suspension, and given the small size of United’s squad, the absence of any first-team player - never mind two - is always going to have big implications.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.