ATHLONE TOWN 1 GALWAY UNITED 0
This proved to be a bitterly disappointing and frustrating evening in the midlands for Galway United with a pumped up Athlone Town gleaning an important SSE Airtricity League win at Lissywollen.
Having shown such guts and guile to beat table toppers Shelbourne a week previously, United suffered a loss in Paul Doolin's first game in charge of the Town.
United started and ended the opening brightly causing Athlone some problems, Paul Doolin's outfit were solid defensively.
Early on Athlone had to be alert dealing with three wicked Conor McCormack corners as United pressed.
Athlone had an opportunity in the 34th minute when the skilful James Doona crafted space, but just couldn't supply the finish.
Splendid work from McCormack and Ruairi Keating enabled Conor O'Keeffe dash clear on the right. The Mullingar native delivered a crisp cross, but Shane Doherty's header was off target.
Then Athlone custodian Micheal Schlingermann thwarted a David Hurley free-kick as United sought to land a blow.
That is precisely what Athlone managed in the 64th minute as Kurtis Byrne added another cute goal to his collection.
Suddenly United were in bother with Keating and Maurice Nugent going close. It wasn't to be for the visitors.
ATHLONE TOWN: Schlingermann; Friel, Cantwell, Delaney (McCann, 72 ), Daly; Comerford, Holywood (Sobowale, 54 ); Byrne (McAuley, 78 ); Wixted, Meaney, Doona.
GALWAY UNITED: Kearns; O'Keeffe, Nugent, Brouder, Walsh; McCormack, Boylan (Oluwa, 78 ), Hurley; Keating, Waweru (Cunningham, 58 ), Doherty (Rowe, 58 ).
REFEREE: Gavin Colfer.
