Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_07_12/GA_1207_E1_148.pdf 

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148

SPORT

July 12 2007

O'Donovan bags the goals as Cork City take the points
Galway United Cork City
BY CAOMHAN O'CONNELL

1 2

The overriding temptation to describe proceedings in a sun-drenched Terryland Park last Tuesday as a `game of two halves' is far too tempting. Galway United played their best football of the season in the first half, Cork's star players were devastating in the second half.

Boasting a brand new, exciting central midfield engine room comprising of Daryl Robson formerly of Middlesbrough and exMotherwell FC star Shaun Fagan, Galway United were impressive from the off. They dominated a Cork City outfit which is manned by some of the best players in the league. Early chances were forthcoming. Derek Glynn stole clear seven minutes in, only to hit a tame shot at Michael Devine. Four minutes later Barry Moran missed the chance of the game when he

found himself with acres of room in the Cork box. The disappointment of his failure to even hit the target was quickly evaporated as 13 minutes in, the whirlwind start was rewarded with a goal. Thriving in the freedom he had on the right, playmaker Alan Murphy delivered a delicious ball for Derek O'Brien whose incisive run was matched by an equally outstanding glancing header to set United up for a dream start. The culture of

confidence and commitment permeated the home team. Philip Reilly and Regi Nootimer marshalled the defence impressvely. In the middle Robson was superb and out wide Murphy and O'Brien were a realistic threat. In the opposition ranks Liam Kearney and Colin Healy proved a worrying enemy to the narrow home lead. Testament to United's defence was the fact that Gary Rogers was not seriously threatened in the opening half after the 12th minute, when

United travel to Showgrounds for Connacht derby
BY CIAN O'CONNELL Since Galway Uniteds return to the higher echelons of the domestic game they have only failed to truly deliver a reasonable display once in the league. That was on the opening day of the campaign when former United Raf Cretaro played a seminal role in Sligo's two goal success. Tony Cousins has acknowledged that United didn't compete with sufficient ferocity on that occasion, but another factor such as opening night nerves is a somewhat acceptable excuse. There won't be much sympathy to be found if United cannot summon 90 purposeful minutes under Ben Bulben on Saturday. Having seriously tested Cork City on Tuesday United will be eager to recapture such verve again. United were busy and energetic early on; Tony Cousins was enthused. "In the first half we looked really good and knocked it around well. They didn't cause us any serious problems and the chances we had on top of the goal, we should have put some of them away. When you have one on ones you have to put them away, it is as simple as that. Look at Roy O'Donovan, if he gets a chance he normally puts it away. If we had got another goal they would have thrown men forward and maybe Derek would have caught them out with his pace." Cousins was content with United's level of performance against City, but the goals that his team conceded were preventable. "It was a long time without a game for us, but in saying that we looked solid until we gave away a stupid goal and that is what cost us. They weren't hurting us too badly at the time. I take positives, but if we defend like that we are going to have major problems. That is being totally honest." Sligo, reeling from last Friday's comprehensive defeat against Derry City, will be brimful of intent when their Connacht rivals roll into the Showgrounds. The Bit O'Red have enjoyed some productive moments under former Burnley winger Paul Cook's stewardship. Before the Derry disaster Sligo had won three league matches on the spin. Bohemians, UCD, and Longford Town were all outwitted. Shamrock Rovers, the FAI Cup aristocrats were dumped out of the Blue Ribband by Cook's charges. But Sligo should face a vastly altered Galway team from the side that crumbled on March 9. United are an evolving outfit and the emergence of Daryl Robson and Shaun Fagan provides a dash of class and hope. Cousins is intent on achieving requisite consistency by sticking to his football principles. "I want us to play. If people are coming through the turnstiles you have to entertain them. It is like a jigsaw for me, I have to get the balance right that we are solid and we play. That is something that I have to work on. We will go to Sligo optimistic. " We did so well against a Cork side that will be up there at the end of the season. With that team they have a chance of being up there. If they win their games in hand it shoves them up to second. It is our first season in the Premier Division, but a neutral would have thought we were the team up there, but everything doesn't come right all at once. We have some very talented players in the football club now and if we can add to that we are moving in the right direction. But we have to defend better." If United can rectify this issue anything is possible against Sligo. That is the beauty of league football. An opportunity for atonement is always imminent.

Barry Moran holds up the ball despite Neal Horgan's challenge.

magic from Kearney almost allowed Healy to snatch an unlikely lead for Cork. Up front United continued to be dangerous and on 36 minutes it was Glynn's chance to go agonisingly close. A hit and hope ball from captain Wes Charles was latched on to by the speedy Glynn. He carved a chance out of nothing, but when bearing down on goal, his halfvolley sailed just past the top-corner of the net. Given the high level of performance, Terryland's faithful would have been more than content at the break. But flashes of the early misses in particular began to weigh on Galway minds as Cork began an immense turnaround. On 50 minutes Roy O'Donovan's sensational scissors-kick narrowly missed out on being the goal of the season as the ball flashed wide. The constantly threatening Kearney then forced `keeper Gary Rogers to parry away a fierce delivery that was unlucky

not to find a recipient. Then Colin Healy latched on to a Kearney corner. His shot was added to by Dan Murray, only to trickle inches wide. Undoubtedly the signs were ominous and though they had carved out genuine chances, the manner of Cork's equaliser was heartwrenching. A defensive lapse by Colm James allowed John O'Flynn to pick out strike partner O'Donovan who made no mistake with a one-on-one situation in the box. Level after 54 minutes, the goal buoyed an already rampant Cork and deflated an embattled Galway United. Despite some flashes of enterprise from Robson and Glynn, Cork continued with an unrelenting pressure. With 17 minutes to go a seemingly innocuous throw-in on the left flank led to O'Flynn reaching the by-line with three home defenders in close attention. His simple cross was greeted by an understated O'Donovan

finish to deflate all wearing maroon on the Dyke Road. Vinny Faherty impressed when introduced for his debut and team mates Robson and Glynn refused to give up the ghost, O'Donovan's strike effectively signalling the end of the contest. A bitter disappointment for a United side who again proved that they can mix it with the best but who repeated deadly errors which have been punished in the top flight. Galway United: Rogers; James (Lester, 77), Nootimer, Reilly, Charles; Murphy, Fagan (Foley, 67), Robson, O'Brien; Moran (Faherty, 66), Glynn. Cork City: Devine; Horgan, Murray, Kelly, Woods; Kearney, Lordan, Healy, Farrelly (O'Brien, 85); O'Flynn (Behan, 86), O'Donovan (McSweeney, 90). Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).

United's hesitancy is ruthlessly punished
BY CIAN O'CONNELL The Terryland Park audience strolled away from the Dyke Road venue with equal measures of hope and despair. Optimism was located in the sharp and stylish manner that Galway United examined Cork City's resolve. But the way United self destructed by affording the rebels two marshmallow soft goals irked manager Tony Cousins. "The first goal that we gave away was a comedy of errors and it gave them a spring in their step. It killed us at that stage and the second goal was a terrible goal to give away considering it was from throw in. It is a poor goal and it is something we are working hard on. "I looked at it tonight and I changed around the personnel that we have to see would it make a difference and we did all right up to a period, but it was another error that killed us. You hate giving away goals, but when it is your fault and your errors it is very hard to take. We just have to lift ourselves for Saturday because it is a massive game." There was a cute dash to Galway's football early on. Debutants Daryl Robson and Shaun Fagan were clever and inventive against the expensively assembled rebels. The Cork midfield swapped shifts in midfield. Cillian Lordan and two former internationals Gareth Farrelly and Colin Healy all showed velvet touches in the centre of the park. But Galway's enthusiastic duo were capable. Cousins was satisfied. "I thought that we played really well in the first half and played some really good football. The new lads in midfield did very well and they were able to get on the ball and pass it. I thought that Robson was like a little hare and he was able to run all over the place and he's a great little talent. "Shaun did well too, he just ran out of steam in the end and that is why I took him off. These fellas are coming in and training, but this is their first competitive game and I was pleased with how they did." Cousins made a brave and daring switch by opting for Philip Reilly at centre half and skipper Wes Charles at left full. The move aided United, who kept the much coveted Cork frontrunners subdued for vast chunks of the opening hour. Unfortunately John O'Flynn and Roy O'Donovan eventually combined to fracture local hearts. "It gave us a little bit more legs because O'Donovan and O'Flynn are quite mobile. With him and Regi in there I felt we could match their pace. You have to look within your own squad, we don't have massive finance, I have to do loan deals if I want more players. It is disappointing. "We had a great crowd and we played so well in the first half, and they were enjoying it, but then we gave away silly goals. Everybody loves winning and our away form has been great, but we need to get that win at home just to sort ourselves out. We need to get the crowd going because the second half was very dead. It was very quiet because everybody is anxious. When we gave away the first goal we went out of the game." United never recovered from the cruel blows that O'Donovan administered. That is why Damien Richardson's charges pocketed the full complement of spoils.

Derek Glynn ventures into the Cork City half.