Dundalk 3 Galway United 2

 

SHANE GUTHRIE was the hero for Dundalk as the towering centre-back popped up in the 86th minute to sink former club Galway United at Oriel Park.

 

Just when it looked like Sean Connor's men had done enough take a well earned point back to the west Guthrie rose highest to meet a Ross Gaynor corner to give Ian Foster's men their first win of the campaign.

 

The Tribesmen almost got off to a great start after just two minutes. Gary Curran's pass set Alan Moore away on the inside left. His shot had plenty of power but Paul Murphy, making his first competitive appearance for Dundalk since 2004, produced a fine stop to his left.

 

Oriel Park was in raptures 16 minutes later as the home side went in front in spectacular fashion. Daniel Kearns' trickery drew a foul from Gary Curran and Mark Quigley stepped up to fire an unbelievable free-kick past Greg Fleming from 35-yards.

 

The lead lasted just three minutes. A mix up between Ross Gaynor and Nathan Murphy allowed Shaun Kelly to force his way into the Dundalk penalty area. His progress was halted unfairly by Gaynor and former FC United of Manchester striker Joseph Yoffe made no mistake from the penalty spot.

 

Chances continued to present themselves in an open second-half. Quigley was denied a second by a fingertip save from Fleming before Moore almost beat Murphy at his near post with a daisy-cutter from the edge of the box.

 

The home side went back in front following a concerted spell of pressure in the 71st minute. Kearns fed Simon Madden on the right and the Dundalk skipper's cross was nodded home with typical aplomb by Jason Byrne.

 

Galway, however, would not lie down and they looked to have won a share of the spoils when Sean Kelly met Moore's cut back from 20-yards to guide a delightful left footed effort past Murphy before Guthrie had the final say with four minutes to go.

 

DUNDALK: P Murphy; Madden, Hawkins, Guthrie, N Murphy; Kearns, Bennett (S Maher 44), Ward, Gaynor; Quigley, Byrne.

 

GALWAY UNITED: Fleming; Shaun Kelly, S Maher, Sinnott, Walsh; Ryan (Cash 59), Sean Kelly, G Curran, Moore; Yoffe (Murphy 68), Feeney (E Curran 80).

 

REFEREE: Paul Tuite.