Galway United 2 Sligo Rovers 2:A WILD western derby culminated with the spoils being shared as Galway United carved out an unlikely draw against Sligo Rovers at Terryland Park.
Trailing by two goals after 36 minutes, Galway’s recovery was packed with passion and purpose as Sean Connor’s charges denied their Connacht rivals another September success.
All honest aggression at the outset, Sligo hit the front in the eighth minute courtesy of a smashing Richie Ryan drive from 25 yards.
Though Galway were under severe duress for most of the opening quarter the Tribesmen still went close in the 14th minute as Sligo custodian Ciarán Kelly saved expertly from Steven Walsh.
Sligo were ruling the game and pocketed a second goal in the 36th minute as John Russell confidently swept the ball past the advancing Barry Ryan following Gary McCabe’s right wing delivery.
Despite Sligo’s dominance Galway halved the deficit on 38 when Gary Curran’s innocuous shot crept over the line.
Galway have been resilient for the majority of the campaign under Connor and they duly equalised in the 63rd minute.
Stephen O’Donnell’s free kick provided the opening and Karl Sheppard timed his run expertly to restore parity.
GALWAY UNITED:Ryan; Conneely, Sinnott, McKenzie, Meynell; Curran, Reilly, O'Donnell (Molloy, 70), O'Brien (King, 81); Walsh, Sheppard.
SLIGO ROVERS: Kelly; Keane, Peers, Foran (Ventre, 6), Davoren; Ryan, Ndo (O'Grady, 68), Russell; McCabe (Doyle, 68), Blinkhorn, Boco.
Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).
