| Galway United 3 Bray 0 | |
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An enterprising Galway United outfit - inspired by a Jay O'Shea wonder strike - claimed a crucial Terryland Park triumph over Bray Wanderers. Having been overturned in Oriel Park by Dundalk this clash with Bray Wanderers increased in significance and Galway were intent on making a busy start. Ian Foster released Jay O'Shea into an attacking role, and the Republic of Ireland under-21 international attempted to pull the strings. David Cooke started the match with Derek O'Brien suspended. Michael McGrath anchored the midfield with John Russell and Jay O'Shea occupying the wings. Galway's bright start was nearly rewarded with an audacious seventh minute free kick from distance that just went over from Garry Breen. Then Vinny Faherty and Bray's Gary McCabe went close at opposite ends of the pitch. Jay O'Shea broke free down the right and laid the ball across the goal, but an off balanced Faherty could not steer it home from close range. Bray went down the clubhouse end and McCabe fired a close range shot off the top of the crossbar. United broke the deadlock through a piece of Jay O'Shea magic in the 23rd minute. The United captain held off several challenges before curving a 20 yard shot into the top right corner for a stunning Terryland goal. Though armed with the advantage Galway encountered a few difficult moments in the remainder of the first half as Bray improved with wide men Paddy Kavanagh and McCabe carrying a threat. Bray should have restored parity in the 52nd minute, but Cian McBrien cleared a Dane Massey header off the line before Barry Ryan saved the rebound from Paul Byrne. Relieved to have escaped Galway started to stitch pretty passing patterns together again, and a second goal arrived in the 58th minute with McBrien letting fly from 25 yards into the bottom left hand corner. United sealed the game in the 84th minute when Mark O'Toole picked out Jason Molloy in space and the United sub coolly finished from 20 yards out to create a hat-trick of spectacular United goals on the night. Galway United: Ryan; Conneely, Breen, Guthrie, Davoren; Cooke (Molloy, 75), McBrien, Russell (O'Toole, 64), McGrath; O'Shea; Faherty (Edwards, 59). Bray Wanderers: O'Connor; Doyle, Webster, Foran (Tresson, 76), Massey; Kavanagh, Shields, Robson, McCabe; Byrne (Flood, 59), Mulroy (D O'Neill, 64). Referee: N Doyle (Dublin). |
| Last Updated ( Saturday, 16 May 2009 00:03 ) |