GALWAY UNITED: SOUTH EAST STALEMATE SOURS SUMMER BREAK

SSE Airtricity League First Division – Friday, 15th June 2018

Wexford FC 0-0 Galway United

The two-week break will give Galway United plenty to ponder after they failed to find the net against a team they beat 4-1 just two months ago.

Results elsewhere mean they remain just three points behind the play-off positions but that was the only positive that could be taken from their trip down to the South East.

It wasn’t for the want of trying as United did the majority of the attacking but just couldn’t find a way through opposing keeper Corey Chambers or keeping the ball on target.  Indeed, Wexford did get a goal only for Danny Doyle to be ruled offside.

UCD’s 3-1 win over Finn Harps meant the Ballybofey side slipped to fifth and Longford Town assumed the qualifying spot on 29 points, three ahead of Galway.  But the students moved 12 clear with 10 games remaining.  The First Division title was surrendered in Wexford.

HALF TIME: Wexford FC 0-0 Galway United.

United with all the play and chances in the opening 45 but Wexford have defended stoutly in numbers. #GUFC pic.twitter.com/WVIpP5dFKY

— Galway United (@GalwayUnitedFC) June 15, 2018

They started promising as Eoin McCormack create a chance involving Carlton Ubaezuonu but Stephen Kenny struck wide after just 30 seconds.  Ubaezuonu was denied by Chambers and Marc Ludden was also off target in the opening five minutes.

Their next chance came on 26 minutes when Stephen Walsh shot over while Kenny also forced Chambers into making a stop.  The Wexford stopper had Kenny’s number as he denied him again before half-time.

Wexford’s first major chance arrived two minutes after the restart when Doyle came close only for Alex Byrne to make the block.  Kenny, Ubaezuonu and Conor Barry combined to create Galway’s next chance but defender Conor Sutton was on hand to stop them.

The goal that wasn’t came on 64 minutes when Doyle went early and strayed offside before beating Connor Gleeson.  It was the best chance in the match even though Barry volleyed over and Kenny again was foiled by Chambers.

Dean George got Wexford’s last chance in the final minute before an extra 10 minutes were added after a head injury ended Barry’s involvement.

Ryan Connolly nearly struck a screamer from 30 yards shading the upright in the 95th minute.  Unlike Uruguay and Iran in that day’s World Cup, there was no late winner to reignite Galway’s season.  Their break will feel like a retreat as they try and save their campaign.

Wexford FC: Corey Chambers; Conor Sutton, Owen McCormack, Thomas Croke, Dean Kelly, Sean Kelly, Aaron O’Connor, John Morgan, Ryan Nolan, Danny Doyle, Dean George.  Subs used: Liam McCartan for O’Connor (73 mins), Mikey Byrne for McCormack (82 mins), Mark Slater for Doyle (88 mins).

Galway United: Connor Gleeson; Gary Shanahan, Alex Byrne, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden; Stephen Kenny, Conor Melody, Ryan Connolly, Conor Barry, Carlton Ubaezuonu; Eoin McCormack.  Subs used: Conor Layng for Melody (71 mins).

Referee: Andrew Mullally