Dynamo Blues maintained their impressive unbeaten home record by defeating NUI Galway on Saturday afternoon in the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division. Goals from Paul Kavanagh and player-manager Franny Fallon saw them overcome Tom French’s side who squandered a host of chances and were made to pay for their wastefulness.
For the opening half hour of this tie the visitors were the better side but couldn’t get that vital opening goal. Dave Cooke had the first shot anger on seven minutes but some brave defending diverted it behind for a corner. Donal McCann’s header then brought a save from Blues’ ‘keeper Cathal Hynes before a good cross from Eoin O’Loughlin picked out Tristan Ryder, who could only glance his header wide of Hynes’ right hand post.
Again NUIG were denied in the 19th minute when Derek O’Flaherty’s shot was parried by Hynes and Mikey Creane’s snapshot was also cleared off the line. Creane had a further opportunity when Hynes left his goal and scuffed his clearance, but the striker couldn’t hit the target as Hynes tried to scramble back into position.
As ever, the home side threatened sporadically through the pace on the break of Mark Sweeney, Vinny Carton, and Johnny Farragher. They finally clicked into gear on the half hour mark and clinically took the lead with only their second effort on goal in the 32nd minute.
Carton had just headed Sweeney’s inviting cross over the bar moments earlier when he picked up possession on the left flank and floated a clever ball across the pitch for Paul Kavanagh to run onto, and he sidefooted first time past Jonathan Burke.
Armed with a lead, Blues grew in confidence and began to gain a stronger foothold in the centre of the park where Jamie Murphy impressed. Goalscorer Kavanagh cleverly worked some space for a shot eight minutes after half time but fired over. Fallon’s side were content to play on the break as they soaked up the increasingly impotent college attacks, thanks in the main to the assured defending of centre half Kevin Stankard.
Creane did have another shot saved on 53 minutes, and Vinny Carrigan was the most dangerous of their players on the left flank but too often when he got into a good position either the cross was poor or they had failed to get enough men into the box to challenge.
The goal which killed off their chances came six minutes from time when a corner was floated into the area, was challenged for and looped up and over the man on the line. There was a distinct suspicion of an O.G. about it, but Fallon proclaimed it as his with a celebratory roar, and deserves the credit for it as he continues to drive on this club into the upper half of the Premier Division table.
On this evidence, if they can’t find a potent goalscorer NUI Galway will struggle to get points on the board. They are seven points from safety with games in hand, but will need to register a win fast if they are to have any chance of staying in this division. Blues continue their fine form on home turf and will have aspirations to go far in this year’s cup competitions, especially if they get favourable home draws.
Dynamo Blues: C Hynes; J Trayers, M Ward, K Stankard, G Kelly; P Kavanagh (K Fleming, 75 ), F Fallon, J Murphy, V Carton (D Noone, 85 ); M Sweeney (C Quinn, 85 ), J Farragher.
NUI Galway: J Burke; R Cummins, E Murphy, D McCann, E O’Loughlin; V Carrigan, C Monahan (P McDaid, 59 ), T Ryder (J Hynes, 45 ), D Cooke; M Creane; D O’Flaherty (R Byrne, 75 ).
Referee: J Reilly.
