NEW GALWAY UNITED manager Shane Keegan had a disappointing start to his reign as his side slumped to defeat against newly-promoted Drogheda United in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
The 35-year-old Laois native replaced Tommy Dunne in the Galway hot-seat at the end of last season and looked for a win with a bumper crowd of 2,113 at Eamonn Deacy Park.
But substitute Gareth McCaffrey scored the winning goal with nine minutes remaining and Drogheda left with all three points.
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Keegan gave five debutants their chance but it was 0-0 at half-time and despite numerous chances, including a gilt-edged opportunity for Ronan Murray at the death, Galway succumbed to defeat.
Galway dominated the opening-half and new signing Murray was a constant threat, although it was seasoned campaigner Vinny Faherty that had the best chance of the half.
He forced a brilliant save from Stephen McGuinness in the fourth minute, and the ball cannoned off the crossbar before it went clear.
Faherty went close again, before a couple of efforts from Gary Shanahan and Murray drew saves from McGuinness.
But the hosts couldn’t find a way through, and Drogheda centre-half Ciaran McGuigan had a brilliant game as he kept Galway at bay.
However, despite having to defend for most of the first half, Drogheda had a few chances of their own before the break, and both Stephen Elliot and Adam Wixted could have snatched an unlikely lead.
But it was scoreless at the interval and Murray blazed a free-kick over from just outside the Drogheda penalty area five minutes into the second half.
Then Colm Deasy was forced to clear a dangerous Padraic Cunningham cross but Galway couldn’t score. Instead, McCaffrey rounded Galway goalkeeper Ciaran Nugent to score in the 81st minute.
Galway United: Ciaran Nugent; Colm Horgan, Lee Grace, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan (Padraic Cunningham, 18), Dave Cawley, Gavan Holohan, Kevin Devaney; Ronan Murray; Vinny Faherty.
Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Colm Deasy, Luke Gallagher, Ciaran McGuigan, Stephen Dunne; Adam Wixted (Thomas Byrne, 64), Killian Brennan (Sean Thornton, 47), Richie Purdy, Jake Hyland, Gavin Brennan; Stephen Elliot (Gareth McCaffrey, 71).
Late goal in Galway seals victorious top-flight return for Drogheda
Galway United 0
Drogheda United 1
Daragh Small reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
NEW GALWAY UNITED manager Shane Keegan had a disappointing start to his reign as his side slumped to defeat against newly-promoted Drogheda United in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
The 35-year-old Laois native replaced Tommy Dunne in the Galway hot-seat at the end of last season and looked for a win with a bumper crowd of 2,113 at Eamonn Deacy Park.
But substitute Gareth McCaffrey scored the winning goal with nine minutes remaining and Drogheda left with all three points.
Keegan gave five debutants their chance but it was 0-0 at half-time and despite numerous chances, including a gilt-edged opportunity for Ronan Murray at the death, Galway succumbed to defeat.
Galway dominated the opening-half and new signing Murray was a constant threat, although it was seasoned campaigner Vinny Faherty that had the best chance of the half.
He forced a brilliant save from Stephen McGuinness in the fourth minute, and the ball cannoned off the crossbar before it went clear.
Faherty went close again, before a couple of efforts from Gary Shanahan and Murray drew saves from McGuinness.
But the hosts couldn’t find a way through, and Drogheda centre-half Ciaran McGuigan had a brilliant game as he kept Galway at bay.
However, despite having to defend for most of the first half, Drogheda had a few chances of their own before the break, and both Stephen Elliot and Adam Wixted could have snatched an unlikely lead.
But it was scoreless at the interval and Murray blazed a free-kick over from just outside the Drogheda penalty area five minutes into the second half.
Then Colm Deasy was forced to clear a dangerous Padraic Cunningham cross but Galway couldn’t score. Instead, McCaffrey rounded Galway goalkeeper Ciaran Nugent to score in the 81st minute.
Galway United: Ciaran Nugent; Colm Horgan, Lee Grace, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan (Padraic Cunningham, 18), Dave Cawley, Gavan Holohan, Kevin Devaney; Ronan Murray; Vinny Faherty.
Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Colm Deasy, Luke Gallagher, Ciaran McGuigan, Stephen Dunne; Adam Wixted (Thomas Byrne, 64), Killian Brennan (Sean Thornton, 47), Richie Purdy, Jake Hyland, Gavin Brennan; Stephen Elliot (Gareth McCaffrey, 71).
Referee: Robert Hennessy (Limerick)
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