Tyreke Wilson's late strike sees Dundalk defeat Galway United at Turner’s Cross

A crowd of just 454 turned out for the Premier Division fixture

WILLLSSOONN: Dundalk's Tyreke Wilson celebrates after scoring a late winner. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher.

Galway United 0 Dundalk 1

Tyreke Wilson struck an injury time winner as Dundalk defeated Galway United on Friday evening, a game that controversially took place at Cork’s Turners Cross with Eamonn Deacy Park currently being resurfaced.

Dundalk started strongest and were left frustrated when appeals for an early penalty were waved away after Daryl Horgan went down following a challenge from Parker. The Lilywhites continued to press and came close to an opener just moments later, Evan Watts reacting sharply to parry Eoin Kenny’s effort.

Ciarán Kilduff’s side continued to apply pressure with Horgan causing repeat problems down the left flank, Galway’s best chance coming when an inviting cross from David Hurley flashed across goal but Stephen Walsh was unable to make contact as the ball went harmlessly wide. Both sides attacked at will in an end-to-end first-half, but neither side could break the deadlock and went in level at the break.

The Tribesmen kicked off the second half and Dundalk again took the early initiative, dominating the opening 15 minutes which caused John Caulfield to make four early changes in an attempt to inject some momentum into his Galway side. As the Tribesmen settled it was the Lilywhites who came closest to opening the scoring, firstly through a Danny Mullen chance after a pinpoint cross by Declan McDaid, before McDaid himself had an attempt well saved by Watts.

The tension in Turners Cross grew palpable as the clock ticked on with both sides desperately trying to grab an all-important winner, and with just seconds remaining a loose ball found Wilson on the edge of the area and the Dubliner drilled a low shot home to give Dundalk a vital three points in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Galway United: Watts; Parker (Kazeem 61), Facchineri, Brouder, Devitt (Pierrot 61); Bolger, McCormack (Williams 61); Keohane, Hurley, McCarthy (Piesold 61); Walsh (Chateau 80).

Dundalk: Minogue; JR Wilson, Cornwall, Burns, T Wilson; Dervin, Teahan; McDaid (Buckley 72), Kenny, Horgan (Groome 93); Mullen (Tracey 72).

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.