Shels advances after seven-goal roller coaster in Galway

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A seven-goal sizzle in the west had Galway United look to a brighter future and Shelbourne look to the FAI Cup round of 16.

A Dayle Rooney double was sandwiched by goals from Ciarán Kilduff and Ryan Brennan, United tied first through Enda Curran and Mikey Place second, the latter rejecting a penalty to put United ahead, before Aaron Dobbs added fifth for the Reds.

A crazy game like this should have had this crowded place when John Caulfield first took over as Galway’s boss, the handful of viewers reveled in a thriller and hunger for the return of people to watch football with.

Shels kept Shamrock Rovers scoreless at Tallaght recently and has a real shot at cup glory this year, unlike Galway, which has had an astonishing season and is now desperately seeking to climb a First Division playoff spot with time running out.

Altogether, this was the FAI Cup match as it should be: goals, hunger, hard tackles, mistakes, the favorite enduring a scare.

Shels played to the advantage of a strong wind and without local support in the first half. Nine minutes at the first opportunity. Georgie Poynton, excellent against Shamrock Rovers, swayed in a corner with the wind as an ally; Daniel O’Reilly headed wide at the back post, Shels bench requested a penalty.

At the other extreme, Shels’ tough defense allowed Donal Higgins a shot Colin McCabe knew little about; after Shels failed to clear, Place got involved, became a father this week, and eventually the ball fell for Shane Duggan, who became a father this week as well; fired a quick shot.

Place played a speculative ball from behind in the 21st minute and Dano Byrne made a hash, allowing Curran to return. Curran had a free kick on goal, but after taking the ball from behind McCabe, McCabe brought it down, Caulfield howled for a red. card which would in fact have been the case before the rules changed for genuine attempts to enter the area.

He went up to the stepped place, which burned.

Despite that setback, Galway grew in faith. Shane Doherty found Curran, whose shot failed to disturb McCabe, half an hour later.

At the other extreme, Denzil Fernandes was fouled on the outskirts of the area for the return of Killian Brouder, who has been a huge loss for United so far this season. And Rooney, with superb precision, dodged the wall and Matt Connor with a precise left foot. Galway was reeling as the halftime break approached, and he was lucky enough to be overtaken by Ryan Brennan.

The wind and a pep talk from Caulfield at halftime saw Galway on the front foot, Doherty forcing McCabe to save, early on. At the other end, Kilduff put up great power, too much in fact, behind his 20-yard effort.

Conor Barry, who has had such a disappointing season, was introduced at halftime and linked with Curran, who fired straight at McCabe.

At seven minutes into the second half, United were tied. The ball broke Curran after a corner kick and he drilled home plate from the edge of the box, cheers from the locals suggested there were people in this game after all.

There was a proper cup-tie feeling now, Denzil Fernandes blocked at the counter as United’s defense stretched. Poynton then made a cross with the outside of his foot, Brennan headed towards him. Chrissy Horgan walked brilliantly down the back post as Dayle Rooney waited to score.

A place error invited Shelbourne to go back 26 minutes in the second half. Alex O’Hanlon jumped and played at Kilduff; Matt Connor reached for the chip, but it wasn’t enough.

Place made immediate amendments. Duggan found Doherty on the left; the American, who only left United in the last legislature due to the death of his father, ran in Shels; eventually, the ball spilled onto Place, who threw it home with the help of a detour.

Incredibly, Place pulled out moments later, but Caulfield introduced more rhythm in the form of Carlton Ubaezuonu. However, United fell asleep with 12 minutes to go, Brennan found the rebound after Kilduff shook the bar.

And United looked past memory with six minutes to go when Rooney deftly spun around and outwitted Connor with a beautiful punch.

Aaron Dobbs took advantage of a mistake by Kevin Farragher, just seconds off the bench, as injury time began and United’s brief Cup run ended.

Galway United: Connor; Horgan, Farragher, Brouder, Parthoens (Ludden 84); Place (Ubaezuonu 75), Duggan, Nugent, Higgins (Barry 46), Doherty; Curran (Faherty 67).

Shelbourne: McCabe; Ponton (Friel 85), D Byrne, O’Reilly, O’Hanlon; Fernandes (Moore 90), Byrne (Quinn 55), Deegan, Brennan (Kabia 85), Rooney; Kilduff (Dobbs 90).

Referee: Damien MacGraith.

Tie saw from the other Friday glass Athlone City come from behind to defeat Wexford Youth 5-3 after extra time at Athlone Town Stadium.

After 20 minutes, Wexford was up 2-0, courtesy of a Jack Doherty penalty and a superb volley from Conor English. That’s how things were until the break, although the hosts created chances,

Within the first ten minutes of the second period, Athlone tied, with Ronan Manning and Taner Dongan on target.

Wexford took the lead in the 68th minute when James Carroll headed a free kick from Conor Crowley.

Athlone, however, kept moving forward and were rewarded with 80 when Scott Delaney reached the end of a corner to score.

In extra time and the midlanders went a minute ahead when Lee Duffy headed a Manning free kick. Duffy was eventually sent off for a second yellow card. That didn’t deter Athlone, with Adam Lennon on hand to score his fifth.



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