Galway United and Dundalk shared the spoils at Eamonn Deacy Park thanks to a last-gasp Eoin Kenny header for the visitors that tied things up - an outcome that denied that hosts a chance to move second in the table.
Anticipation of European football was in the air on Corribside as Galway United arrived into tonight's Premier Division encounter against a bottom-of-the-table Dundalk outfit.
For the Lilywhites, it had been an emotional few days for their fan base following the funeral of beloved Dundalk and League of Ireland supporter Maxi Mark Kavanagh. Before the game, the Galway United faithful paid tribute to Maxi by holding up a banner in his memory as a round of applause rang around the grounds.
Tonight’s match - the 103rd meeting between the two clubs - which also marked the 30th anniversary of the re-opening of the redeveloped Terryland Park, saw Galway United undone by a 97th-minute equaliser to deny them a valuable victory.
Opportunities were limited throughout a lacklustre first period - Dundalk captain John Mountney went close early on when he was unable to truly test Brendan Clarke with a headed effort before the deadlock was broken by John Caulfield’s side just before the break.
When it looked like both defences were on top, the Tribesmen’s goalscoring target man, Patrick Hickey, came up trumps to give the home outfit the lead in the 41st minute.
Substitute Karl O’Sullivan was the provider, as he delivered a delicious cross, which the USA man met with force to power a header past Ross Munro in the Lilywhites net.
Following the interval, the first chance of the second half came the way of United winger O’Sullivan when he drove into the Dundalk box and struck a low effort which Munro was glad to claw away after the ball snuck between his legs.
The rest of the contest saw neither side manufacture any meaningful opportunities until deep into injury time when substitute Eoin Kenny latched onto an inviting cross to stun the 4,000-plus spectators in attendance and nick Dundalk a draw.
Next up in the league for Galway United is an away outing against St Patrick's Athletic while Dundalk host Derry City.
Galway United: Clarke; Brouder, Walsh, Cunningham, Hickey (Slevin 84); Borden (Hurley 70), Keohane, Horgan, McCormack, McCarthy (O’Sullivan 27); Buckley.
Dundalk: Munro; Boyle, Oostenbrink (Hakiki 73), Horgan (O’Kane 73), Benson (Keane 45); Gullan, Doyle (Garbett 45), Mountney, Keogh (Kenny 81), Cann; Dervin.
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
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