Galway United moved further away from the playoff spots after earning a 1-1 draw against Drogheda United at Éamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.

Goal Scorers

Galway United: Stephen Walsh [57′]

Drogheda United: Darragh Markey [49′]

First Half

In a physical affair, Galway started the game brightly. Following their good start, the first chance of the game fell to Patrick Hickey in the 15th minute, but his header went wide.

Drogheda grew into the game in the second quarter, with James Bolger shooting a header in the 22nd minute only for it to be saved by Brendan Clarke.

In the 37th minute, the first changes came abouts as Galway were forced into a substitution when Dara McGuiness sustained an awful injury, after colliding with the wall behind the goal at the Dyke Road end of the ground. Ed McCarthy replaced Dara McGuiness .

On the brink of half-time, David Hurley nearly gave the home side the lead, but his shot was saved by Luke Dennison.

Second Half

The away side started of the second half well with them taking the lead in the 49th minute, when Luke Heaney’s cross ended up in the Galway net.

Just under ten minutes later, the Tribesmen equalised with a shot by Stephen Walsh to make the scoreline 1-1 at the Éamonn Deacy Park.

10 minutes later, Galway almost took the lead following a corner by Jimmy Keohane but was not dealt with well by Dennison, the ball fell to Stephen Walsh but his close-range effort hit the post.

Drogheda were the next team to go close in the 81st minute. Conor Keeley got on the end of a Drogheda corner, but his header went over the crossbar.

A few minutes later, Drogheda came close to scoring again, only for Keith Cruise’s shot to be saved by Brendan Clarke.

Both sides pushed for a winner but the game finished at 1-1.

What’s Next

Galway United will play their next game away to Shamrock Rovers on Wednesday. Both sides will be eager to claim all three points, with Shamrock Rovers chasing the league title and Galway United battling to avoid the promotion/relegation playoffs.

Meanwhile, Drogheda United will host Bohemians in their final game of the season. Like Galway and Shamrock Rovers, both teams will be desperate for a win, as they aim to secure European football for next season.

Teams

Galway United: 1. Brendan Clarke; 5. Killian Brouder, 7. Stephen Walsh, 10. David Hurley, 15. Patrick Hickey; 18. Robbie Burns, 20. Jimmy Keohane [C], 26. Garry Buckley, 27. Dara McGuinness, 33. Jeannot Esua; 34. Aaron Bolger

Drogheda United: 45. Luke Dennison; 3. Conor Kane, 4. Andrew Quinn, 7. Darragh Markey [C], 9. Joshua Thomas; 17. Shane Farrell, 18. James Bolger, 21. Luke Heeney, 22. Conor Keeley, 23. Owen Lambe; 34. Dare Kareem