A SUPERBLY-CONTRIVED goal from Eric Lavine inflicted a first defeat on Shamrock Rovers as Galway United survived a first-half mauling to win thanks to a dominant second-half display.
The winning goal was a delight when it arrived on 77 minutes. Ger Crossley, who eight minutes earlier had missed a great opening when chipping straight at Tony O'Dowd, was instrumental in setting up Lavine with a clever dummy from full back Nigel Keady's ball forward. And the Barbados international did the rest, calmly drawing O'Dowd before shooting beyond him. The goal was no more than Galway deserved after they had raised their game after the break having not been in it in the first 45 minutes.
Poor luck and some good goalkeeping prevented Rovers from wrapping up the game by half-time. Rovers quickly put a 15th minute scare, when Lavine rounded O'Dowd only to scuff his shot, behind them to utterly run the game until the break.
GALWAY UNITED: Forde; Keady, O'Connor, Foley, Fortune, Ryan, Crossley, Sheridan, Murphy, Keogh (Goldbey 71), Lavine. SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Smith, Palmer, Deans, Dunne, Vaudequin (Robinson 82), Colwell, Tracey, Woods, Byrne (Purdey 80), Grant.
Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).
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