Galway United 2-2 Sporting Fingal

An explosive Terryland Park tussle ended level as Gary O'Neill bagged an injury-time equaliser.

Galway had come from behind to lead, but O'Neill was crafty enough to ensure Fingal went back to the capital with a point.

Galway boss Sean Connor has repeatedly stressed the importance of being competitive at home, so the Tribesmen were keen to make a decent start.

Fingal, who had troubled Shamrock Rovers on Monday, were similarly eager in the early stages despite being hampered by the bumpy playing surface.

The Tribesmen were bright initially, Karl Sheppard going close twice inside the opening five minutes as they probed down the left flank.

But Fingal's squad is packed with experience and they used all their guile when taking the lead in the 10th minute.

Ronan Finn's pass shaved off Gary O'Neill and Eamon Zayed reacted briskly to nudge Fingal ahead with an assured finish from 16 yards.

A 14th minute Stephen O'Donnell free-kick then forced Darren Quigley to make a save as Galway sought to grab an equaliser.

There was an honesty to Galway's play and in the 24th minute Anto Flood and Bobby Ryan manufactured space for O'Donnell, who was again denied by Quigley.

Fingal's pace was a threat on the break, and Alan Kirby might have doubled the visitors' advantage in the 34th minute following smart approach work from Finn.

After the interval Bobby Ryan smashed a 20-yard shot wide following a brave O'Donnell challenge as Galway pressed for an equaliser.

That leveller was bagged on the hour mark as Sheppard unleashed a 25 yard thunderbolt which crashed into the Fingal net.

Flood then scored in the 73rd minute after a sweet Bobby Ryan assist as Galway deservedly hit the front.

Fingal ploughed on defiantly, and O'Neill made no mistake with a close-range effort in stoppage-time, and though substitute Keith Quinn was dismissed for a foul on Jamie McKenzie, the visitors made the journey home with a point.

Galway United: Barry Ryan; Conneely, McKenzie, Synott, Meynell; Bobby Ryan, Foley, O'Donnell, Creaney; Flood, Sheppard.

Sporting Fingal: Quigley; Browne, Maher, Paisley, O'Brien; James, Finn, Kirby (Dawson, 81); C Byrne (Quinn, 76), O'Neill, Zayed (Crowe, 81).

Referee: D Tomney (Dublin)

Report courtesy of rte.ie