Finn Harps 1 Galway United 3
The sending off of Paddy McCourt shortly after half-time proved to be a turning point in this relegation six-pointer as Galway United bagged the points at Finn Park to gain their first away win of the season.
In a cracking first half Galway went ahead on 13 minutes when new signing Jonah Ayunga burst forward and threaded the ball through for Gavan Holohan to latch onto and steer beyond the reach of Ciaran Gallagher despite the best efforts of the retreating Packie Mailey.
Galway almost grabbed a second when Ayunga headed narrowly wide with the Harps defence all at sea and moments later Gallagher had to be alert to thwart Kevin Devaney.
Eddie Dsane had a goal ruled out for being off-side on 26 minutes but a minute later was taken down in the box after being put through by Sean Houston. However, his spot-kick was saved by Conor Winn.
Caolan McAleer capitalised on a defensive mix-up to dash down the right flank and whip in an inch perfect cross for the in-rushing Dsane to head firmly home from close range to level the scores on the stroke of half-time.
Influential playmaker McCourt got a second yellow on 51 minutes for a foul on Colm Horgan and the pendulum appeared to be swinging in Galway’s favour.
Gallagher made a superb save shortly afterwards to deny Holohan as Galway searched for all three points.
Galway made it 2-1 with a thumping 25 yard free from Ronan Murray on 76 minutes and Ayunga hit the post five minutes later before Murray struck again on the counter attack in the 83rd minute to seal victory.
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