Galway United 1 Salthill Devon 1:A PECULIAR evening on the banks of the Corrib saw two Galway clubs collide in the last 16 of the cup for the first time and it was the underdogs from Salthill Devon who departed from Terryland Park charmed and content.

Galway United were toothless and Salthill took advantage to secure a replay on Monday on a night that will only be remembered for the visitors’ passion and pluck.

Salthill were presented with a great opportunity to take a 17th-minute lead when they were given a present of a penalty from referee Pádraig Sutton.

Somehow the Clare official deemed that Séamus Conneely fouled Mikey Gilmore in the area and the underdogs appeared to be on the verge of a breakthrough.

Ciprian Straut assumed the responsibility and, though the spot kick connection was clean, Barry Ryan guessed correctly to make the save.

Then Galway finally started to move the ball around the park with the control and conviction of a top-flight outfit and chances were crafted.

Galway hit the front in the 83rd minute courtesy of a deft touch from substitute Jason Molloy who got on the end of a Karl Sheppard cross.

Salthill, though, came thundering back restoring parity seconds later as Straut climbed highest in a packed area to connect with a Mike Quirke free-kick.

GALWAY UNITED: Ryan; Conneely, Sinnott, McKenzie, Meynell (Molloy, 52); King (D Sheppard, 65), Curran, ODonnell, O’Brien; Walsh, K Sheppard.

SALTHILL DEVON: Forde; Whelan, Barbu, Geraghty, O’Leidhinn; Horgan (Burke, 66), Quirke, Porter, Gilmore; Straut; Collins.

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).