Tribesmen back to winning ways, as Shels suffer back-to-back defeats

SSE Airtricity Premier Division

Galway United 1 (McCarthy 24')

Shelbourne 0

Galway United picked up their first win in three games against Shelbourne on Friday, in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division encounter at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Shels fans were prohibited from attending Eamonn Deacy park for the game, however it was the visitors who started the brighter. Former Bohs man Liam Burt forced Galway United keeper, Brendan Clarke into a save after three minutes. Clarke was forced into another smart save, following a Sean Boyd header in the 18th minute.

It was the Tribesmen who opened the scoring after 24 minutes. Limerick native Ed McCarthy found the target inside the six-yard box, following an Aodh Dervin cross. This was only Galway’s sixth goal of the season.

United almost doubled their advantage in the 40th minute, when former Shels man Dervin saw his long-range effort crash off the post.

The Westerners were on top for much of the second half but failed to double their lead. Galway United manager John Caulfield was sent off late on. However, Shels had chances of their own in the second half, but it was Galway who prevailed.

Galway United are back in action on Monday night against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds. On the same night, Shelbourne will entertain Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park for their fixture.

Galway United (4-2-3-1): Clarke; O’Keefe, Brouder, Slevin, Kazeem; McCormack (C), Borden; Hurley, McCarthy, Dervin; Walsh Subs: O’Sullivan for Dervin (74), Aouachria for Walsh (84), Gaxha for Hurley (90), Hickey for Hurley (90) Shelbourne FC (4-1-3-2): Kearns; Gannon, Barrett, Molloy (C), Wilson, Lunney, Caffery, O’Sullivan, Burt, Boyd, Farrell Subs: Ledwidge for Gannon (56), Smith for Farrell