Connor on way out with a point

GALWAY UNITED registered their first point since April, but manager Sean Connor is still on the verge of leaving Terryland.

It is rumoured Connor, who had more than two years left on his contract, accepted Galway’s compensation package before Dundalk’s visit to the west.

Galway were eager from the first whistle last night and took a shock lead in the 10th minute.

Korean Jin Gu Kim, prominent on the right, gathered an Eric Holland delivery before rifling the home side ahead from close range.

Dundalk sought to land a quick response, crafting a raft of opportunities, with Jason Byrne and Dean Bennett both coming within a whisker of an equaliser.

That leveller eventually arrived in the 40th minute when Mark Griffin’s industry allowed Johnny Breen to put the visitors back on terms.

In fairness to the locals there was no shortage of grit in their football and midfielder Gary Kelly drilled a left-footed shot over the bar four minutes after the restart.

Mark Quigley struck a clever free-kick narrowly wide for Dundalk during a third quarter that lacked incident and drama.

Dundalk appeared to have grabbed a winner 10 minutes from time when Quigley slammed an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net — but Galway came roaring straight back.

Four minutes later Dundalk’s Simon Madden handled the ball in the area and Alan Murphy’s spot kick was precise.

GALWAY UNITED: Winn; Sinnott, Son, Gaughan (Gilmore 70), Holland (Sibanda 44); Kim (Eduardo 45), Browne, G Kelly, Walsh; Ryan; Murphy.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, McHugh, Byrne (Duffy 80), Murphy; Griffin, Bennett, Ward, Quigley; Byrne, Breen.

Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).