SHAMROCK ROVERS were forced to come from behind to secure a vital victory over Galway United at Terryland Park.

 

A thrilling tussle packed with goals and drama was eventually settled by Rovers composure after they fell behind at the start of the second half.

Unsurprisingly Rovers bossed the early exchanges crafting a raft of opportunities against a Galway outfit miserably low on confidence.

Gary O'Neill, who craved involvement, spotted that Galway goalkeeper Conor Winn had strayed from his line, but defender Yob Son did well to make a block.

Busy attacker O'Neill was dashing about intelligently and released Ronan Finn, who fired wide from an acute angle.

Galway were showing a bit of grit and determination, though, and skipper Alan Murphy was thwarted by Ryan Thompson on a rare break from the hosts.

Still every time Rovers had a set play Galway looked to be under pressure and a long Pat Sullivan throw in caused problems, but Craig Sives rifled over after a Chris Turner knock down.

But a goal finally arrived for the Hoops in the 16th minute when Ciaran Kilduff overpowered Son and fed Finn, who unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner.

Kilduff should have added a second in the 33rd minute, but was failed to guide a venomus shot on target.

Then Galway grabbed a shock leveller when Sives and Dan Murray didn't deal with an Alan Murphy pass and substitute Mikey Gilmore curled a tidy strike past Thompson.

United then looked put themselves in front when Eric Browne found the net two minutes into the second half.

But Galway's lead only lasted four minutes as another Sullivan throw in found Sives who scored from close range.

Rovers were relieved and they took the lead again on 57 when Sheppard headed the ball across goal with Kilduff providing the final touch.

Late on Galway custodian Winn made a raft of brilliant saves denying Sheppard, substitute Gary Twigg, and Dan Murray, but Rovers held on.

GALWAY UNITED: Winn; Preston-Kelly, Browne, Son, Holland; Kim (Sibanda, 88), Sinnott, G Kelly, Walsh (Ryan, 68); Murphy, Collins (Gilmore, 29).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Thompson; Sullivan, Sives, Murray, Stevens; Sheppard, Turner, Finn, Moore (McCabe 61); Kilduff (Dennehy 66), O'Neill (Twigg 79).

REFEREE: A Kelly (Cork).