Stalemate as resolute Galway frustrate Hoops

Stephen Bradley's side go into the break in control of the title race. 

Galway United manager John Caulfield at Tallaght Stadium. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Shamrock Rovers 0 Galway United 0

Shamrock Rovers remain six points clear at the summit despite seeing their five-game winning come to an end at home to Galway United.

The league leaders had the vast majority of the play as John Caulfield’s side invited them to break United down and held on for a well-earned clean sheet and point.

Galway went into the game having brought their own four-game losing streak at home to Cork City last week but they required a much more structured approach in South Dublin.

There was little action of note in a tepid first half, with Vincent Borden and Ed McCarthy of Galway both wayward with speculative efforts inside the first eight minutes.

Rovers came into the game from there and Michael Noonan saw a shot deflected wide from close range before Aaron McEneff forced the first save with a curler from 20 yards.

McEneff went close again shortly after as he found room in the box to meet a Danny Grant cross from deep but, with the ball slightly behind him, he couldn’t direct his overhead on target.

Grant danced through four bodies to find room in the box but his scuffed effort was dealt with by Evan Watts in the Galway goal.

Rovers took control after the break and had their best chance of the game when Burke found Grant on the overlap and his low cross was cleared off his line by Garry Buckley.

Burke continued to probe from the edge of the box and he hit another curler that saw Watts scramble before seeing the ball just past the post.

Rovers introduced an embarrassment of riches in the final half-hour with Rory Gaffney coming on to face his hometown club alongside Aaron Greene and Dylan Watts.

They continued to press to the end but a resolute Galway kept them out with clever time management and bodies on the line to deny Gaffney late on.

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Adam Matthews (Rory Gaffney 76), Roberto Lopes, Cory O’Sullivan; Josh Honohan (Victor Ozhiavuna 60, Aaron McEneff (Danny Mandroiu (60), Matt Healy, Danny Grant; Jack Byrne (Dylan Watts 69), Graham Burke, Michael Noonan (Aaron Greene 69).

Galway United: Evan Watts; Jeannot Esua, Rob Slevin, Garry Buckley, Greg Cunningham (Bobby Burns 57); David Hurley (Conor McCormack 76), Vincent Borden (Stephen Walsh 89), Cian Byrne, Ed McCarthy; David Hickey, Moses Dyer (Killian Brouder 89).

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork).

Attendance: 6,204 (official).