Friendly Report: Galway United 2 - 1 Limerick FC

A chilly night in Galway saw an entertaining pre-season encounter end with The Tribesmen coming out on top on a score line of 2-1 on Monday night.

The early exchanges were tame as both sides tried to figure one another out.

Both sides ventured into each other’s final thirds and it was Limerick who had the first clear cut chance when Tobias Kainz took on a tricky run through the Galway defence right through to United’s base-line but the player could only manage a tame cross with goalkeeper Ciaran Nugent there to gather the ball on the ground.

The Tribesmen went on the offensive and spent a significant amount of time in Limerick’s half. Sloppy play and poor delivery meant very little real attacking threat came of the resulting pressure.

Later on in the half Limerick’s new signing Chidoze Ogbene took the ball down United’s left flank. The youngster put a dangerous cross into the box, catching out Ciaran Nugent in the process. The ball landed in United’s goalmouth but United managed to scramble the ball away.

Limerick had their own scare when goalkeeper Freddy Hall was caught off his line. Gavan Holohan took a long range effort but only managed to clip the crossbar. The ball fell to Vinny Faherty but the striker could only put the ball over the bar.

The breakthrough came halfway through the half when Ogbene blazed down the left wing past United’s defence after receiving the ball from Rodrigo Tosi. Ogbene was too quick for the Tribesmen as he slotted the ball past Ciaran Nugent.

Galway spent the rest of the half trying to draw level but United struggled with sloppy play leaving them trailing going into the break.

United started the second half with far more purpose and focus and within minutes of the restart Holohan found Kevin Devaney in Limerick’s box, the winger picked out substitute Padraic Cunningham at the back post but the striker headed the ball over the bar.

Galway kept threatening but were still struggling to get a goal when Lee Grace found the ball at his feet after a corner kick but the defender booted the ball over the bar.

The breakthrough finally came, for the Tribesmen, when David Cawley cut through the Limerick defence with a smart pass to Murray who picked out the bottom right corner of the Limerick goal and sent the ball past substitute goalkeeper Brendan Clarke.

The Tribesmen had the bulk of the attacking play in the second half but Limerick still managed to test the home side on occasion. In the final ten minutes of the game goal scorer Ogbene collected the ball on the left wing and played a ball across United’s box to Paul O’Conor. Substitute goalkeeper, Conor Winn, was there to meet O’Conor, as he managed to snuff out the shot.

Both sides were going after the win but it was Galway who managed to get the winning goal.

Ronan Murray was again on hand to put the ball in the net as United broke away late on. The ball was played across Limerick’s box eventually finding Murray who couldn’t miss from such a close distance again managing to beat Brendan Clarke.

United taka a victory in their last home fixture before the Airtricity League Premier Division season commences on February 24^th with Drogheda United the visitors to the West on the opening night.

Galway United: Ciaran Nugent (Conor Winn HT’); Paul Sinnott (Gary Kinneen 71’), Colm Horgan, Lee Grace (Aaron Conway 89’), Stephen Folan; Alex Byrne, Kevin Devaney (Gary Shanahan 71’), David Cawley, Gavan Holohan (Conor Melody 62’); Ronan Murray (Jesse Devers 89’), Vinny Faherty (Padraic Cunningham HT’).

Subss not used: Maurice Nugent, Declan Sharkey, Robert Spelman.

Limerick: Freddy Hall (Brendan Clarke HT’); Tobias Kainz (Dean Clarke 58’), Shaun Kelly (Bastien Hery 58’), Robbie Williams, Tony Whitehead; Shane Duggan, Paul O’Conor, Lee Lynch, Stephen Kenny, Chidoze Ogbene (Garbhan Coughlan 84’); Rodrigo Tosi (Chris Mulhall 76’).

Subs Not Used: Ian Turner, Sean McSweeney, Shane Costelloe.

Referee: Marc Lynch

Attendance: 200 (estimate).