From Irish Independant
By JOHN TAYLOR
BRIAN MORRISROE booked Shamrock Rovers a League Cup final date with Cork City at Tolka Park last night and in the process put an end to Galway's gallant run. The First Division team took the game to Rovers for long periods of a generally scrappy encounter but their efforts proved in vain as the Hoops reached the decider for the first time in ten years. Ironically, Cork also provided the opposition on that occasion. The Hoops will, no doubt' be looking forward to the `rematch' but they will have to show a big improvement if they are to wrest the silverware from Dave Barry's charges. Rovers produced their best football during the opening quarter but there was more than a touch of fortune about the crucial goal after 22 minutes. Derek Treacy's surging run from midfield created a shooting opportunity for Morrisroe but Galway 'keeper Mark Cobey appeared to have the Rovers' player's shot from 25 yards well covered until the ball squirmed from his grasp and rolled agonisingly over the line. In fairness, the Hoops were worth that early lead as they had begun brightly. The lively Billy Woods went close twice early on and Morrisroe miscued when put clean through by Tony Cousins' superb through ball after just four minutes. Galway enjoyed plenty of possession during the opening half but their only real opportunity came after six minutes when Garreth Gorman's stinging 20-yard effort was superbly parried away at full-stretch by Tony O'Dowd. In contrast to Rovers, the visitors looked the more likely side after the break as they went on to create a couple of clear cut chances during the third quarter. Two minutes after the interval Mick Quirke's 12-yard volley was palmed away at full-stretch by O'Dowd and midway through the half Ollie Neary failed to hit the target when well-placed after good work by Quirke and John Brennan. Brendan O'Connor glanced a header just past the Hoops upright and, with 15 minutes remaining, Quirke just failed to find the finishing touch from close-range after Gorman's clever free kick had Rovers defence in a tangle. Little was seen of the Hoops as an attacking force during the second period, although Jason Colwell had a late effort deflected narrowly wide with 12 minutes remaining.
GALWAY UNITED last night finished the First Division season on a high note when they overcame bottom-of-the-table Longford Town before a sparse crowd at the Strokestown Road Ground. After a drab first half, the deadlock was broken in the 55th minute when Longford keeper Anthony Keenan failed to clear and Ollie Neary was on hand to capitalise. Town defender Chris Malone was dispossessed in the 89th minute by Ryan Lucas, who rounded Keenan before slotting the ball home. LONGFORD TOWN; Keenan; Malone, Darby, Murphy, Toland; Rooney, Dunleedy, Hardy, Gannon; Neville, Larkin. Subs; Diffley for Larkin (71), Corkery for Gannon (75), Dann for Neville (82). GALWAY UNITED; M Cobey; Brennan, Gorman, Carter, Cleary; Neary, Lucas, Watson, Lavine, Murrary; Colemen. Subs; Toltan for Lavine (83). Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).
PLUCKY Waterford United clinched promotion to the Premier Division when they defeated Galway in this tough encounter played at the RSC last night. The home side raced into the lead after five minutes, when Padraig Dully's drive from 18 yards was too hot for Galway keeper Mark Cobey. The strong breeze favoured Galway in the first half and, after winning a succession of corners, they deservedly equalised through Fergal Coleman on 20 minutes. But the Blues regained the lead five minutes later when Karl Gannon swept home a fine goal. Galway's chances took a further blow after the break when first Gareth Gorman was sent off for a second bookable offence and then they were reduced to nine men when Luther Watson was sent-off.
Galway United's promotion challenge regained considerable momentum when they overcame St Francis at Terryland Park on Saturday evening. If there was much in the performance to applaud, the result was particularly important in sustaining United's prospects of playing premiership football next season. St Francis were expected to be difficult opposition for Galway, and the Dubliners served up a most industrious and disciplined display in the face of unceasing United pressure. Pete Mahon and his charges had reason to be rueful about the result, while the Galwegians could be satisfied that their season is still on track. Fergal Coleman's 12th league goal of the season brought him to the top of the first division scoring chart, while the goal was United's 999th senior goal. The score was a critical one for the home side, and one which the United striker deserved for his wholesome efforts on the night. There can be little doubt that Coleman is a talismanic presence in the side. No player puts as much energy or purpose into the team's play. On Saturday evening he was forced as the game progressed to come deeper for the ball, yet he still had the heart and conviction to launch himself at Garret Gorman's cross from the left to knock home the winner just three minutes from time. The contest had begun brightly for Galway in the opening stages. Luther Watson had a great chance after five minutes when an intricate Galway move was denied by a tremendous challenge from St Francis keeper Paul McNally. Good headed efforts shortly after from Coleman and Harry Costello seemed set to convert Galway's dominance into scores. However it never transpired as United lost the script. Ollie Neary cleverly knitted together some promising midfield moves, but United insistence on moving the ball at all times to the flanks became too predictable. St Francis covered with authority and seemed prepared to scrap until midnight if necessary to earn a point. To the visitors' credit the team's single front runner, Colin Talbot, proved to be a real tartar. His prodigious work rate matched that of Coleman, and it served to discommode the United defence throughout the game. Indeed the longer the game went on, the possibility increased of St Francis scoring a goal that could kill the contest and implode United's season. The introduction of the Bajans Ryan Lucas and Eric Lavine in the last half hour did not effect the requisite transformation of United's game. However United kept their shape, and they were rewarded finally when Coleman's late winner arrived. United supporters may be cheered by the thought that on this form St Francis have the ability to dent Limerick's ascent when they meet in Baldonnell next Sunday. United's victory saw them leap into third place on Saturday evening, but it was short-lived. Limerick's win over Bray Wanderers in Rathbane the following day ensured the three points between themselves and United remained. With four games remaining and both sides away from home in three of these engagements the promotion play-off spot looks set to run the distance. Limerick have the advantage at present.
By Paul Buttner Soccer: Galway United failed to make ground on Limerick, as they chase the play-off place in the First Division, when they had to be content with a 1-1 draw with Cobh Ramblers at St. Colman's Park yesterday. Galway were up against it from the start falling behind within two minutes. A defensive mistake was seized upon by Richie Fleming who set up Liam O'Connor to score from just inside the box. Galway fought their way back into the game and equalised a minute before halftime. Fergal Coleman showed a neat touch to control a long ball to him, turned David O'Connor on the edge of the area and shot low past Paul Kee.
Galway United turned in a most spirited performance against Bray Wanderers on Saturday evening to add substance to their promotion bid. Those who stayed away from this outing were the losers. Determined to ensure promotion, Bray came west with six wins on the trot, but they left having lost to a better team on the day. This was a game that demanded big performances, and in a pressure situation, United responded in kind. Although chances were about even in the opening 45 minutes, United raised their game after the interval and played with fire and imagination. Central to United's success was the form and enterprise of Fergal Coleman. Continuing an outstanding season, the Dubliner whose father Martin hails from Merchants' Rd, worked tirelessly and headed an immaculate goal past Bray custodian John Walshe on 66 minutes for the winner. The sight of Anto Whelan being dropped on three occasions is a rarity in League of Ireland football. Coleman deserves the premier stage, and on this form he may well lead his colleagues to that platform. In the first period Aiden Forde continued to turn the clock back with a display full of the brio and sparkle that marked his work last season. The Mervue man had a marvellous opening half which saw him carve through the Bray defence on the right with considerable relish. There was power and menace about his game. If Coleman and Forde were the principals in the United victory, it would be churlish to forget the immaculate Mark Cobey save from Dom Tierney on 18 minutes; the tight skills of Eric Lavine; and the graft of United's midfield. Billy Clery led forcefully from the off for United, and the Bray strike force of Richie Parsons and Ciaran O'Brien will look forward to less demanding engagements in the remaining matches. An injury to Brendan O'Connor saw John Brennan pressed into service at right back. The Salthill man did not look out of place, and some fine sallies forward added to United's armoury in attack. Saturday's result means United have closed the gap to within three of Limerick - onto whom the pressure now mounts. Yet there are still 540 minutes of football to be played. However the result also means that manager Don O'Riordan can be entitled to expect his players to continue to fashion a promotion challenge in the weeks ahead.
