Eoin Kenny scores late equaliser for Dundalk in dramatic clash with Galway
LATE EQUALISER: Dundalk secure a point late in injury time a the draw with Galway United. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
In the 96th minute, Eoin Kenny flashed home a header to grab a last-gasp point for the visitors after a dramatic night in Eamon Deacy Park.
Seven years ago, Dundalk came west in October to relegate Galway United and seal second place for themselves.
In their first season back in the top-flight since, the Tribesmen looked for a modicum of revenge. They would have moved second with a win that would effectively condemns their opponents.
Yet, as everything changes, there was a timely reminder of what continues to make this league special before the game, Galway fans holding a minute’s applause to remember recently deceased Dundalk fan, Maxi Kavanagh.
It was a hotly contested opening period, short on quality but not endeavour. A heavy tackle from Paul Doyle in the 10th minute emphasised that the Lilywhites were here for a fight.
Indeed, Dundalk were on top, snapping into tackles and enjoying the better territory. However, there were few clearcut chances after Robbie Benson’s 4th minute header was straight at Brendan Clarke.
The home team eventually got to grips with the contest and they broke the deadlock with a header from Patrick Hickey who bustled free and steered home sub Karl O’ Sullivan’s cross.
Though the rally was late, there had been warning signs for the visitors as Hickey and Stephen Walsh had threatened in the minute preceding the opener.
Jon Daly went for broke at the half, introducing Norman Garbett and Dara Keane in a double switch at the break.
Garbett had an almost immediate impact, finding the byline and firing a cross that was just cut out by Killian Brouder with Daryl Horgan lurking at the back post. The centre-half would have to be alert not long after, as a header from the other sub Keane was goal bound until the Limerick man got in the way again.
O’ Sullivan was closer at the other end. He cut in from the right and drove low. His shot took a deflection which ‘keeper Munro barely managed to divert wide. There were a slew of corners, with a header from Hickey the closest United came to doubling their advantage.
The spirit of the visitors however remained. There were flashes of quality too with James Gullan always on the cusp of making something happen.
Another sub, Eoin Kenny, had the best chance for the Lillywhites but he couldn’t provide the finish during a goalmouth scramble.
There was a late flashpoint when Greg Cunningham appeared to be injured under a heavy tackle by ex-United player Aodh Dervin. It seemed to be the last action until another ball flashed into the box and Kenny, who had looked threatening, found space and headed home a goal that might not be enough to save his side but underlined the pride they showed.
: Clarke; Horgan, Buckley, Brouder, Cunningham; Keohane, Borden (Hurley 70), McCormack, Hickey (Slevin 84, , McCarthy (O’ Sullivan 27); Walsh
Munro; Mountney, Boyle, Cann, Keogh (Kenny 80); Horgan (O’ Kane 74), Dervin, Ooostenbrink (Hakiki 74), Doyle (Garbett 45), Benson (Keane 45); Gullan
: E O’ Shea
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