Galway showing survival spirit

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: Galway United 3 Finn Harps 0:  IT HAS been a relegation battle filled with drama so there was no shortage of intrigue accompanying Galway United and Finn Harps at Terryland Park last night.

A victory was craved by both teams, but Harps were aware that a division of the spoils would be a satisfactory outcome for them too, ensuring it was Galway who were under duress.

Initially Galway dealt admirably with the pressure showing the passion and pluck required in these trying circumstances.

As the rain poured relentlessly the contest was all about grit and Galway's anchor man John Lester supplied the determination during a busy start.

Chances were created by both sides as Vinny Faherty and Republic of Ireland under-21 international Jay O'Shea went close for Galway, while Stephen Parkhouse spurned a gilt-edged opportunity for Harps early on.

The third quarter carried significant importance and it was Galway who grabbed the goals that were required as two arrived in an eight-minute burst packed with interesting incidents.

Ninety seconds after the restart Séamus Conneely's delivery spilled kindly for Marc McCulloch, who lashed a venomous shot past James Gallagher to satisfy the locals.

And they were delighted in the 53rd minute when the ever threatening O'Shea supplied the assist for Alan Murphy to guide Galway further ahead.

Galway were safe and solid for the vast chunk of the remaining minutes and though Conor Gethins had an effort headed off the line by Alan Keane the home side confidently closed the deal.

Lester decorated the triumph with a stoppage-time third from a 20-yard free-kick and Galway will head to Belfield for a joust with UCD next Friday heartened by this comprehensive win.

GALWAY UNITED: Rogers; Conneely, A Keane, Fitzgerald, McCulloch; J Keane (Russell, 86), Lester, Murphy (Jorgensen, 72), Foley (Daveron, 65); O'Shea, Faherty.

FINN HARPS: Gallagher; McGowan (Beckett, 81), Malcolm, Minnock, Holmes; Funston, Boyle (Brolly, 60), McCafferty, Tyrell (Breen, 60); Gethins, Parkhouse.

Referee: I Stokes(Dublin).