GALWAY UNITED 2 ATHLONE TOWN 1
Another dramatic late goal ensured Galway United earned a vital SSE Airtricity League first division win at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Ultimately, it appeared that Ruairi Keating applied the decisive touch in a crowded area following Conor McCormack's corner.
It didn't matter to the 100 passionate home supporters, who supplied the finish. All that counted was the fact that three points were secured.
A testing opening period for the home team culminated with Athlone leading at the interval courtesy of Shane Barnes' 24th minute goal.
Barnes, the willing former Cabinteely frontrunner, bundled the ball over the line after a Kurtis Byrne corner.
John Caulfield reacted making three substitutions at the break with Mikie Rowe, Mikey Place, and Cunningham all making an impact.
At left back teenager Alex Murphy was assured on his debut, while the experienced Conor McCormack dictated the second half.
Keating's penalty levelled matters with a quarter of an hour remaining. United continued to pose questions and were rewarded in stoppage time.
McCormack's corner caused panic in a packed area, Keating, it seemed, finished. Suddenly the complexion of the season changed dramatically.
GALWAY UNITED: Kearns; Nugent, O'Keeffe, Brouder, Murphy; Horgan (Place, HT ), McCormack, Boylan, Duggan (Rowe, HT ), Keating; Waweru (Cunningham, HT ).
ATHLONE TOWN: Schlingermann; Friel, Delaney (Noack Hoffman, 77 ), Hand, Daly; McKenna, Hollywood; Wixted (Reynolds, 83 ), Byrne (McCann, 83 ), Doona; Barnes (Brookes, 88 ).
REFEREE: Oliver Moran.
