Heeney and Walsh on target as Galway and Drogheda share the spoils

Galway United and Drogheda United played out a hard-fought draw at Eamonn Deacy Park, with Stephen Walsh cancelling out Luke Heeney’s opener in difficult conditions.

Galway United’s Stephen Walsh celebrates scoring an equaliser for his side. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Galway United 1 Drogheda United 1 

It is too early to tell for both teams whether this will constitute a good or a bad point. Galway are in a relegation battle while Drogheda have European hopes. Both might share some mixed emotions of regret and relief. 

Galway United would have been much happier with a drab opening half. Wing-backs Burns and Esua got plenty of crosses into the box, but they yielded little dividend.

Conor Keeley was imperious in the air. Luke Dennison was sharp when he had to be. Drogheda didn’t cede much but they created less. The home team’s only chance of significance was when David Hurley drove a low free that crashed back off the ‘keeper.

The weather was a big factor, with the swirling wind and rain not helping the mood or expressiveness. There was nasty a collision between Dara McGuinness and the barrier in the 35th minute that necessitated his substitution. It was an incident that raises uncomfortable questions about the suitability of the barriers in use across many top-tier grounds.

The on-pitch drama was saved for after the interval. Drogheda went ahead after a few flashes of class. Andrew Quinn turned beautifully in the corner. Owen Lambe’s teasing cross made it all the way to the back post. Luke Heeney picked up the rebound and coolly chipped to the far corner. This time it crept in for an unlikely lead in the 48th minute.

Brendan Clarke helped to stir his side into action. He drove from 70 yards, and the dropping ball was barely contained by Dennison. The keeper managed soon after to save from Jimmy Keohane. His defenders cleared Patrick Hickey’s follow-up off the line. Finally, Stephen Walsh forced it over the line at the third time of asking.

The home team asked plenty of questions thereafter, but their gallop was halted by a number of offside flags, all of which linesman Eoin Harte got right.

Kevin Doherty made a number of changes and his side finished with a flourish. Keeley came close with a header, Kieran Cruise had the goal at his mercy but was blocked. A snapshot had Clarke scrambling.

GALWAY UNITED: Clarke; Esua, Buckley, Brouder, Burns; McGuinness (McCarthy 38, Slevin 82), Bolger (Piesold 82), Hickey, Hurley, Keohane (Sivi 90); Walsh 

DROGHEDA UNITED: Dennison; Lambe; Bolger, Keeley, Quinn, Kane (Cruise 79); Farrell (Stretton 75), Markey Heeney; Thomas (Oluwa 79), Kareem (Davis 66) 

Ref: K O’ Sullivan