Match Report: Galway United 2-0 UCD

Galway United got their pre-season campaign underway with a 2-0 win against UCD at a drenched Fahy’s Field on Saturday afternoon.

Second half strikes from Jose Garcia and Enda Curran decided the game for the Tribesmen.

Tommy Dunne made full use of his bench, fielding two different eleven’s in either half against the Students.

Conor Melody almost gave United the perfect start when he was played through on goal by Ruairi Keating, UCD keeper’ Conor O’Donnell raced from his line to smother the danger though.

On the half-hour mark, UCD front-man Georgie Kelly reacted quickest to a breaking second ball in the box but he skied his effort.

United raced to the other end of the pitch and the deadlock should’ve been broken but somehow UCD’s goal remained intact after an almighty scramble, College eventually cleared their lines.

On the stroke of half-time, Ruairi Keating pounced on a lapse in concentration in the UCD defence, the former Sligo striker was clean through on goal but he could not find a way past O’Donnell.

Tommy Dunne rang the changes in the second half and wingers Andrew Connolly and Jesse Devers combined inside two minutes but the latter couldn’t steer the ball home after Connolly provided the pin-point cross.

On the hour-mark O’Donnell pulled off a fantastic double save, the loose fell dropped to Enda Curran at the back-post but he blasted over the angle.

Trialist Jose Garcia broke the deadlock for the home side when he rifled an effort in from outside the box that took a deflection en route to goal, finally beating O’Donnell.

A second goal was added two minutes from time. U19 player Gary Kinneen raided forward from left-back before pulling the ball back for Enda Curran who smashed past UCD substitute goalkeeper Niall Corbett.

Galway United – first half XI: K. Horgan; C. Horgan, Cantwell, Folan, Ludden; Melody, Sullivan, Connolly, Devaney; Faherty, Keating

Galway United – second half XI: Dillon; Raftery, Sinnott, Walsh, Kinneen; Curran, Garcia, Melody; Devers, Cunningham, A. Connolly

UCD: O’Donnell, Langtry, McLaughlin, Kougoun, Shortall, Black, Brady, O’Neill, Kelly, Watts, McClelland.

Referee: Marc Lynch