Galway United women's side lose further ground in title race
Galway United fell further off the pace at the top of the table on Saturday evening after playing out a scoreless draw with Treaty United in Eamonn Deacy Park.
Already trailing defending champions Athlone Town and second-placed Shelbourne, who both won at the weekend, a scoreless draw was of little benefit to the home side, and even with a game in hand, they are nine points behind the leaders and with just six games left and running out of time to rescue their season.
Phil Trill made three changes to the United side that came from two down to see off Cork City 3-2 the previous week as Amanda McQuillan returned in goal in place of Nicole Nix, while Niamh Farrelly and Aislinn Meaney replaced Heather Loomes and Cara Griffin.
Treaty came into the game having lost only twice in their last 10 outings, and they traded on fair terms with the home side for the majority of the game. They did create the best early opportunity when a through ball released Breslin, but her close range finish was well saved by McQuillan.
At the other end, an Emma Doherty cross set up Abbie Callanan, but her finish was poor as 'keeper Emma Jones gathered.
Despite an improvement in their performance after the break, there was still a huge lack of cutting edge about United in the last third of the park. Meaney tried a long range effort that dropped short into the arms of Jones; while Farrelly was just over with a shot from outside the box.
The width of a post denied the visitors from taking the lead on 56 minutes when Caroline Penner's shot came back off the woodwork, with Ciara Breslin firing the rebound wide.
Aoibheann Costello had an effort comfortably gathered by the custodian, while Penner's effort against the post at the other end reminded the home side that it wasn't all about them.
Ava Mullins sent a free-kick just outside a post on 71 minutes; and thereafter, Costello, Farrelly and Dossen all threaten to break the deadlock, while Penner, Breslin, and Emma Oliphlant tried to do likewise at the other end, but it was of no avail.
United are on the road this Saturday when they travel to Tallaght to take on Shamrock Rovers (3pm).
Galway United: McQuillan, Costello, Grant, Remondi, Rehberger, Bergin, Dossen, Farrelly, Meaney (Griffin 78), Doherty, Callanan (Mullins 70).
Treaty United: E Jones, Doherty, Rice, Coady, K Jones, Oliphant, Goggin, McGuane, Lawlee, Breslin, Penner.
Referee: Ryan Maher (Offaly).