Confusion and chaos reign as Galway and Shels share a point apiece 

Champions helpless as hosts grab an equaliser that was, wasn’t and was again as referee Rob Hennessy eventually gets it right

EVAN ALMIGHTY: Evan Caffrey of Shelbourne celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Galway United and Shelbourne at Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

LOI Premier Division: Galway United 1 Shelbourne 1

A bizarre incident on the hour mark will colour all memories of an intriguing encounter in Galway as referee Rob Hennessy disallowed and then allowed an equaliser for the home team.

Shels had just gone ahead when a bit of class from Harry Wood was converted by Evan Caffrey. United rose to the challenge. They forced a corner at the other end. Regan Donelon whipped in a dangerous delivery. Teammates John Martin and Lewis Temple both competed and in the confusion, the ball flew into the net.

Terryland celebrated but linesman Darren Corcoran raised an inexplicable flag for offside. Initially, Rob Hennessy accepted the verdict of his official and signalled a free-kick. There was bedlam on the sidelines, as United officials correctly pointed out that the header came from a Shels player and the presence of Rob Slevin was immaterial. Common sense prevailed and, to his credit, Hennessy overturned his decision to award the goal.

The drama of the second stood in stark contrast to a tepid opening half. Shels took the sting out of the game early. They passed comfortably in their own half but created little.

Mipo Odubeko was their most potent threat going forward. He teed up his strike partner for his side’s best chance of the half, but Martin blasted over.

United eventually got a foothold in the game and came closer when a Donelon in-swinging free was fumbled by Conor Kearns. Patrick Hickey could not get enough purchase on the rebound.

There was more urgency after the break. Ellis Chapman had a snapshot from the edge of the box. A minute later, Martin scampered free. He was blocked by a desperate lunge from Greg Cunningham. It fell to Wood who had the presence of mind to pick out a lung-busting run from Caffrey at the far stick. He gleefully headed the cross home.

The half-time consensus was that the game needed a goal. The following 40 minutes proved the thesis. Moses Dyer came on after the concession and nearly scored with his first touch, only for a heroic save from Conor Kearns who flung his body at the volley.

After the chaos of the equaliser that was, wasn’t and was again Shels responded. Paddy Barrett was denied by Clarke, who made another smart save from Temple from the resulting corner.

They huffed and puffed but couldn’t create anything clearer. There was a late penalty shout turned down for a tug on Dyer, as both sides settled for a draw.

Galway United: Clarke; Esua, Slevin, Brouder, Cunningham, Donelon (Burns 73); Byrne, Keohane (Tollett 90), Borden (McCarthy 90); Hickey (Hurley 90), Walsh (Dyer 52) 

Shelbourne: Kearns; Caffrey, Temple, Barrett, Ledwidge, Norris; Wood (Coote 79), Lunney (Coyle 73), Chapman; Martin (McInroy 73), Odubeko (Boyd 62) 

Ref: R Hennessy