United don't get just desserts

GALWAY UNITED 2 Sheppard 61, Flood 74

SPORTING FINGAL 2 Zayed 9, O’Neill 90

Darragh Mc Donagh

SELDOM is a performance in the Airtricity League so exhaustive of superlatives as the exhibition of panache and purpose by Galway United during the second half of their turbulent encounter with Sporting Fingal on Friday.

That the visitors escaped from Terryland Park with even a single point must be counted among the most inexplicable outcomes of a competition since Jedward’s sequential progression to the latter stages of X Factor.

The Dublin side stole a goal within ten minutes of the start through Eamon Zayed but spent much of the remainder of the game against the ropes as they weathered a maroon tsunami propelled by the attacking guile of O’Donnell, Sheppard and Ryan.

United drew level on the hour in a manner that was befitting of their style of play. Bobby Ryan teed the ball up for Karl Sheppard to strike a looping volley from 40 yards that sailed over the head of the helpless Darren Quigley.

Ryan was also the provider when Anto Flood gave United the lead in the 74th minute, but Sporting Fingal completed their heist in injury time when Gary O’Neill fired past Barry Ryan from close range amidst fervent and credible protests for offside.

Substitute Keith Quinn was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Jamie McKenzie as tempers became frayed following the Fingal goal, and the referee distributed cards like it was Christmas in an effort to quell the unrest.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.