Mipo Odubeko on target as Shelbourne and Galway share spoils

LOI Premier Division Galway United 1 - 1 Shelbourne Galway United and Shelbourne battled out their fourth consecutive 1-1 draw of the season at Eamonn Deacy Park as the Tribesmen moved one step closer to officially securing their Premier Division status. Despite sitting in the middle of an international break, an unplayable Deacy Park pitch back in April meant that this now crucial fixture had to be rescheduled, both sides still maintaining aspirations of a European place such is the tight nature of the table at this point in the season. Shels immediately had the home side under pressure, two early set-pieces failing to trouble Hugo Pires Da Cunha in goal. However, Galway slowly began to settle into the game but John Caulfield was forced into an early change when Wasiri Williams suffered a facial injury following a clash with Ademipo Odubeko and had to be replaced by Al-Amin Kazeem. The away side were inches from taking the lead when some good footwork by Seán Moore allowed him to swing a cross towards the back post. James Norris headed the ball back across goal only for Evan Caffrey's header to smash the United crossbar before being cleared to safety, much to the relief of the home support. Caulfield's side reacted strongly, and almost provided the perfect reaction when Jimmy Keohane's free-kick fell to the feet of Lee Devitt who flicked the ball over the Shelbourne defence but Anthony O'Connor's acrobatic bicycle kick lacked power and flashed harmlessly wide of Conor Walsh's goal. An even contest ensued and with the game looking likely to remain scoreless at half-time, the whole of Deacy Park were on their feet when an attempted header from Devitt met the high foot of Jack Henry-Francis. Referee Rob Hennessy had no hesitation in pointing to the spot to hand Galway a golden opportunity to take the lead. Captain Keohane stepped up and made no mistake as he drilled his penalty past Walsh to send the Tribesmen support into raptures and give Galway a 1-0 advantage heading into the break. Regular Position Team P G W D L GD 1 St. Patrick's Athletic 59 32 17 8 7 +27 2 Shamrock Rovers 59 31 17 8 6 +18 3 Bohemians 56 31 16 8 7 +18 4 Derry City 41 32 9 14 9 +3 5 Dundalk 41 32 10 11 11 -4 6 Shelbourne 40 32 9 13 10 -3 7 Galway United 38 32 9 11 12 -6 8 Waterford 34 32 7 13 12 -10 9 Drogheda United 34 32 8 10 14 -13 10 Sligo Rovers 23 32 5 8 19 -30 United came close to doubling their lead when Aaron Bolger's shot was deflected away from goal by the faintest of touches. Caulfield was then forced into another change when substitute Kazeem himself had to leave the fray due to injury, Francely Lomboto coming on forcing a change of shape in the Galway back line. Shelbourne smelt blood and took full advantage, a ball down the right-hand side putting Facchineri under pressure, Milan Mbeng fastest to react as he pickpocketed the Canadian before squaring for Odubeko who drove home past Da Cunha to level the game once more. Things opened up from there as both sides battled relentlessly, knowing a win would move them one step closer to the European places, and despite Shelbourne finishing in the ascendancy with multiple chances falling to Odubeko, it was the Tribesmen who brought the best opportunity to seal a crucial victory. Lomboto's pace put him in one-on-one against Walsh only for the forward to strike straight at the keeper, the referee deciding that it would be the last phase of play and the fourth draw of the season between these sides. .