Defensive errors prove costly for United in FAI Cup exit
Patrick FlahertyConnacht Tribune
Galway United 1
Limerick FC 2
WITH just six games remaining, it is really getting into the business end of the season, and with a tough relegation battle on his hands, Galway United manager Shane Keegan would have hoped a good Cup run was the perfect platform to build the momentum and belief his side will need to avoid the drop.
However, on Friday night the home crowd was treated to quite the opposite as some shocking defensive errors and erratic shooting saw United crash out of the quarter finals of Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup, goals from Rodrigo Tosi and Shane Duggan booking Limerick’s place in the last four despite a late Padraic Cunningham consolation.
The Tribesmen hadn’t made it to the sem-finals since 2008, while their opponents hadn’t been that far since 1994, but despite the chance of glory for both teams, the game failed to ever live up to the billing of a big cup tie, and saw a rather drab opening half.
The home side began the stronger, as Neil McDonald’s charges was struggling to deal with Marc Ludden and his long throw ins, while the high pressing game too was a problem which saw some early corners for United which ultimately came to nothing.
The first defensive error of the night almost saw the game’s opening goal on 13 minutes as a mix up between Conor Winn and Colm Horgan resulted in a soft corner for the visitors, but Winn redeemed himself with a fine save from a powerful Barry Cotter header.
While Keegan prides himself in playing the attractive brand of football the fans like to see, it was clear he had a game plan for Limerick, as long balls over the top became United’s main weapon, typified by a delightful David Cawley through ball finding Eoin McCormack who should have done better when blasting it into the hands of Brendan Clarke.
The best chance of the half came just past the half hour mark when Gavan Holohan ducked and weaved his way around the Limerick defence, but his shot into the bottom left corner from range was well saved by Clarke.
The momentum was well and truly with United, and they had one last chance to break the deadlock just before the break as a long range ball from the backline fell into the path of McCormack, who unsuccessfully tried to chip Clarke in the Limerick net, leaving it all square at the break.
Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune