Galway United 1 Sligo Rovers 0
A lively pre-season friendly at Eamonn Deacy Park was ultimately decided by an opportunistic last minute goal from substitute Ronan Murray.
The former Republic of Ireland under 21 international struck as Galway United defeated Sligo Rovers.
Murray's intervention impressed United boss Shane Keegan, who is busy preparing the Tribesmen for the February 24 SSE Airtricity League opener against Drogheda United.
"You could play a possession drill, play a five-a-side drill, you could do anything - Ronan's ability and class will stand out no matter what you are doing." Keegan remarked following the game. "Everything we do in training you are looking thinking, oh yes this lad could do great things for us.
"He came on, he did a couple of great things before the goal. He put in an unbelievable little side pass for Podge (Padraic Cunningham ), then another one he picked up he nearly put Gary Shanahan through.
"He rounded it off by scoring a goal. The finish was brilliant, but the manner in which he showed the determination to press the centre half to get there before him was even more impressive for me."
Mayo native Murray, who played for Ipswich Town, Torquay United, Swindon Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Notts County, can make a significant impact in the west of Ireland according to Keegan.
"He has had a little bit of a niggle for the last week. That is why we were only able to get 15 minutes into him so hopefully he won't have any knock back from that so we can continue to build on his fitness levels to get him in for a start next week (v Athlone Town on Friday, February 3 at Eamonn Deacy Park ).
"If we can keep him fit and focused he is a guy that could have a very good season in Galway colours."
Galway United: Nugent (Winn, 46 ); Horgan (Nugent, 61 ), Grace, Folan (Spelman, 74 ), Ludden (Kinneen 74 ); Devers (Murray, 74 ), Sinnott (Shanahan, 46 ), Cawley, Melody (Conway, 74 ); Holohan (Sharkey, 74 ); Faherty (Cunningham, 61 ).
