Spirited United earn a point

John Caulfield's team produced a defiant display

Galway United manager John Caulfield.

Galway United manager John Caulfield.

Cork City O Galway United 0

This was a tale of Galway United defiance on a blistering evening by the Lee.

With a 6,393 Turners Cross crowd providing the backdrop a high stakes match unfolded between Cork City and United at one of the great venues in Irish sport.

Ultimately John Caulfield's side had to deal with a few controversial decisions that went against them in the opening quarter.

Max Hemmings appeared to be fouled in the area, but a penalty wasn't awarded.

Then in the 14th minute Ed McCarthy was dismissed for a challenge on Cian Bargary. Referee Seán Grant issued a red card that will be debated for quite some time.

Despite those setbacks United battled with admirable grit and determination in humid conditions.

Tight and tense in the opening period chances were fashioned after the restart.

Kevin O'Connor's inviting cross was met by a firm Cian Murphy header in the 57th minute, but Conor Kearns made a smart save.

At the opposite end Cork substitute goalkeeper had to be alert on the hour mark when saving from Charlie Lyons following Conor McCormack's free kick.

McCormack, passionate and purposeful in the centre of the park, alongside the similarly industrious David Hurley hit the woodwork from a corner kick.

At the opposite end Bargary went close too, but United did enough to earn a share of the spoils. It remains a gripping SSE Airtricity League first division campaign.

Cork City: Harrington (Corcoran, 44 ); Hakkinen, Gilchrist (Srbely, 24 ), Honohan (McGlade, 44 ); Bargary, Coleman, Bolger, Healy (Coffey, 55 ), O'Connor; Murphy, Keating (Britton, 55 ).

Galway United: Kearns; O'Keeffe, Finnerty, Lyons; Hemmings, McCormack, Hurley (Boylan, 88 ), McCarthy; Dimas (Portilla, 23 ); Manley (Waweru, 65 ), Walsh.

Referee: Seán Grant.

 

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