Cork City will play in Europe next season after picking up the point they needed in a Terryland Park thriller.

 

It was a harsh end to the campaign for Galway, who slipped down to eighth place as results elsewhere ensured St Patrick's Athletic and Sligo Rovers climbed to safety.

 

While Galway were determined early on Cork's set piece ability was evident in the early stages as the visitors took the lead.

 

Barry Ryan had saved a Cillian Lordan header, and from the resultant 11th minute corner Cork hit the front.

 

Stephen O'Donnell's cross was neat, and Davin O'Neill made a smashing headed connection as Cork grabbed the lead.

 

Galway's response was gritty and an Alan Murphy delivery was met by Vinny Faherty's right foot in the 24th minute as the Tribesmen equalised.

 

Despite Faherty's intervention Cork ploughed on defiantly, and they were rewarded in the 28th minute. Faz Kudozovic and O'Neill occupied significant roles as Billy Dennehy
steered the ball past Barry Ryan, and Cork dictated the remainder of the first half with O'Donnell ruling matters in the centre of the park.

 

Paul Doolin's side could have extended their advantage on 32, but Ryan saved from the impressive Dennehy. Three minutes after the restart Dennehy centred for O'Neill, who was denied by another stop by Ryan.

 

Galway should have been awarded a 60th minute penalty, but referee Declan Hanney decided that the ball didn't strike Greg O'Halloran's arm.

 

Admirably Galway continued to pour forward in search of a goal, and it arrived in the 73rd minute. Substitute John Russell fed Derek O'Brien and his cross was bundled home by the enthusiastic Faherty. Galway tried for a third, but Cork survived.

 

Galway United: Ryan; Synott, Kelly, Conneely, Davoren; McBrien; Cooke (Fitzgerald 72), Murphy (Russell 46); O'Brien; Faherty, Greene.

 

Cork City: McNulty; Horgan, Murray, Long, Mulcahy; Lordan, O'Halloran, O'Donnell, Dennehy; Kudozovic, O'Neill.

 

Referee: Declan Hanney (Dublin).