Galway United and Sligo Rovers played out a 2-2 Terryland thriller in the final Connacht derby of the season.
On a dry evening on Corribside, the home faithful came out in droves to cheer on their team for one last home fixture of 2024, while the travelling Rovers supporters packed out the away end and both were treated to a memorable encounter at Eamonn Deacy Park.
The Bit O'Red arrived in Galway having suffered a home defeat to Bohemians last time out while the Tribesmen were undone by an in-form St Patrick's Athletic side at Richmond Park.
This evening's affair brought a typical derby feel with end-to-end action and tough tackles going in on a pitch which was in immaculate condition.
Both sides set the tone for a lively 90 minutes - Rovers’ Luke Pearce had an early close-range rebound goal ruled out for offside before the game’s first clear-cut chance landed to United’s Jimmy Keohane, but he was unable to hit the target with the goal glaring.
As half time loomed, it was Rovers who took the lead in the 34th minute thanks to a Pearce header. The Sligo striker was at hand to head the ball into an empty net following some fine build-up play by Simon Power and an intelligent header towards the back post by William Fitzgerald.
After the opener, United piled the pressure on the Bit O'Red defence as striker Francely Lomboto went closest before the break with a powerful close-range strike which cannoned off the post.
That pressure continued into the second half and soon paid off as former Sligo Rovers man Keohane found the net in the 58th minute. Hickey was the assister as his layoff fell to Keohane who placed a delicate header past Ed McGinty.
The equalising goal set the game alight with opportunities arriving aplenty.
Two minutes after the leveller, Rovers regained the lead when Power rose highest to meet a Reece Hutchinson delivery and planted a header past Brendan Clarke in front of an elated away end.
The hosts pushed once again, as McGinty was forced to produce a fine save from a Hickey header before Garry Buckley had a looping volleyed effort hit the crossbar a few minutes later.
The Tribesmen’s constant pressure eventually paid off when substitute Stephen Walsh found his side’s second goal in the 83rd minute. Once again it was a header - the fourth headed goal of a topsy-turvy game - when he was in the right place at the right time at the back post to bring the encounter level for a second time.
Over 4,300 spectators sat in anticipation of a potential winner as David Hurley went close before the final whistle but John Russell’s team managed to hold out for the draw.
Galway United: Clarke; Brouder, Hurley, Hickey, Borden (McCormack 45); Burns (Donelon 45), Lomboto (Walsh 69), Keohane, Horgan (Esua 45), McCarthy (O’Sullivan 80); Buckley.
Sligo Rovers: McGinty; Wilson, Hutchinson, Fitzgerald, Morahan; Pearce (Elding 62), Denham (Mahon 76), Henry-Francis, Power, Malley (Chapman 62); McElroy (Wiggett 89).
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.
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