UCD end barren run as Galway's woes continue

Galway United 3 UCD 4

Graham Rusk hit a brace as UCD inflicted a 15th successive defeat on hapless bottom side Galway in this seven-goal thriller at Terryland Park.

The sides swapped early goals with Dean Marshall putting UCD ahead on nine minutes from a penalty after a foul on Darren Meenan.

Alan Murphy then levelled following a surging run by Bobby Ryan and Ronan Cauldwell's parried shot.

But Rusk then came into his own to score twice inside five minutes, bundling home the first just before the half hour following Marshall’s corner.

The second, to make it 3-1, saw the striker score from a tight angle after good work from midfielder Robbie Benson.

Ryan pulled a goal back for Galway with a header from Karl Moore’s 43rd minutes cross.

UCD reopened their two goal lead on 76 minutes when substitute Cillian Morrison got through one-on-one with Greg Fleming to beat the Galway keeper.

But Galway battled away and got another goal back five minutes later when Murphy got his second of the night from a penalty after a handball by College defender David O’Connor.

Try as they might, Galway couldn't find an equaliser as UCD held out for their first league win in nine games.