Galway Utd 2 Cork City 2:A LIVELY night on the banks of the Corrib ended in delight for Cork City, and disappointment for Galway United.

City garnered a European berth for 2010, while Galway, who have produced so many smashing footballing performances this season, slipped into eighth position in the table.

Unsurprisingly the opening period wasn’t short on drama or intrigue as Cork City flashed a reminder of their ability to take the lead.

Eleven minutes in Stephen O’Donnell’s corner wasn’t dealt with adequately by an understrength Galway United defence, and Davin O’Neill’s header was accurate.

Galway did enjoy one productive moment in the 25th minute when a drop of craft from Alan Murphy fashioned a chance for Vinny Faherty, who produced a crisp finish to drive the ball home past Mark McNulty.

Another lapse in the Galwegians’ concentration was ruthlessly punished in the 28th minute as O’Neill and Faz Kudozovic occupied pivotal roles as Billy Dennehy squeezed Cork ahead again.

It was similarly interesting after the restart with Galway eventually restoring parity in the 73rd minute.

Substitute John Russell and Derek O’Brien were involved as Faherty rattled the Cork net.

GALWAY UNITED: Ryan; Synott, Kelly, Conneely, Davoren; McBrien; Cooke (Fitzgerald, 72), Murphy (Russell, 46); O’Brien; Faherty, Greene.

CORK CITY: McNulty; Horgan, Murray, Long, Mulcahy; Lordan, O’Halloran, O’Donnell, Dennehy; Kudozovic, O’Neill.

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).