Sullivan header seals the points for Rovers

Galway United 0 Shamrock Rovers 1:THERE WAS no disguising the significance of this contest for both these teams, and Shamrock Rovers' victory brought an equal measure of relief and satisfaction.

Having only pocketed one point from a possible nine, Rovers went west knowing that a positive result was needed and Michael O’Neill’s team were durable enough to survive despite a brave Galway United display.

Sean Connor was forced to embark on a furious scramble pre-season to put a Galway squad together with limited means, but his first choice XI is sprinkled with talented players.

Still it was the visitors who ruled the opening exchanges as Galway were unable to deal with Rovers’ determination.

Rovers showed the more willingness and settled early testing a Galway defence that was encountering trouble with set piece situations. After five minutes Billy Dennehy connected with a Seanie O’Connor free-kick, and although Barry Ryan made a decent save the Galway goalkeeper was beaten moments later.

Again O’Connor’s delivery elicited panic in the home defence, and Pat Sullivan thundered a header into the net to give Rovers a seventh-minute lead.

The remainder of the opening period was tight and Galway spurned a good chance to equalise on 30 minutes. Cian McBrien fastened on to Ciaran Foley’s hopeful punt, but the Galway youngster failed to hit the target from 20 yards and Rovers went in ahead at the break. On the rare occasions Galway got deep into enemy territory they encountered another formidable barrier in goalkeeper Alan Mannus. In the 57th minute another McBrien effort saw Mannus produce an excellent save while at the opposite end Ryan had to be alert to palm away a sharp O’Connor free-kick.

Rovers were forced to defend in numbers at the end but held on for an important win to get their season going.

GALWAY UNITED: Barry Ryan; Conneely, Heary (Synott, 46), McKenzie, Meynell; Bobby Ryan (King, 81), Foley (Curran, 65), McBrien, ODonnell, O’Brien; Sheppard.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Sullivan (Price, 53), Murray, Sives, Stevens; OConnor, Rice, Bayly, Dennehy; Barrett (Cahill, 90), Kavanagh (Cowan, 81).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).