Garry Breen scored an 82nd minute winner as Ian Foster's side maintained their 100% start to the season.

While the performance was not a classic performance by United they did enough to maintain their place at the summit of the Premier League.

Galway controlled the game for long periods and just about deserved all three points. A scrappy first half display by United was followd by a more composed display in the second period.

Unsurprisingly Ian Foster went with the same eleven that started in Richmond Pk the week before.

Newly promoted Dundalk have built up an impressive squad in the pre-season and as expected they made things difficult for United early on.

Chris Turner marshalled the midfield impressively, while George O'Callaghan always posed a threat with his accurate passing.

For all Dundalk's industry they didn't threaten Barry Ryan in the first half hour until a long-range Turner free-kick on 23 minutes flew wide.

Galway nearly claimed the lead on the stroke of half-time, but Cian McBrien's shot was superbly saved by Chris Bennion after the United midfielder beat the off-side.

Vinny Faherty's 54th minute header hit the crossbar from a Jay O'Shea cross as United started to control matters with Michael McGrath starting to get control of the midfield.

Dundalk were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when Simon Kelly was sent off for a second caution after hauling down Derek O'Brien for the second time in the half

The all important winner came on 82 minutes. O'Shea's free-kick was glanced on in a packed area by Sean Kelly, and Breen put United in front from close range.

United should have put the result beyond doubt and went close late on through O'Brien, Sean Kelly and Alan Murphy.


Galway United: Ryan; Conneely, Breen, Guthrie, Daveron; O'Shea, McBrien (Edwards, 76), Kelly, McGrath, O'Brien; Faherty (Murphy, 86).

Dundalk: Bennion; Simon Kelly, Burns, Heary, Rogers; Shaun Kelly (Mulvenna, 46, McGinley, 76), Daly, Turner, Singh; O'Callaghan; O'Brien (Mansaram, 46).

Referee: M Gough (Limerick).