Cork held at home by 10-man Galway

Ten-man Galway battled to what could be a valuable point in the race for the First Division title as they held league leaders Cork City to a 0-0 draw in front of a packed Turner's Cross.

Galway’s Ed McCarthy was shown a straight red card in the 15th minute but despite being roared on by the majority of the 6,393 in attendance - a potential record-breaking crowd for a First Division game - City couldn’t find a winner. Cork still remain a point clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

City manager Colin Healy made two changes from the side that started their 3-1 win away to Bray Wanderers two weeks previous with Ally Gilchrist and Matt Healy coming in and Matt Srbely and James Doona dropping to the bench.

Galway boss John Caulfield also made two alterations to his starting side from their last outing with Rob Manley making his first start having scored off the bench in the win over Cobh Ramblers while Max Hemmings also came in as Francely Lomoboto and Alex Murphy made way.

The visitors started the game brightly and they almost took the lead in the eighth minute but after latching onto Stephen Walsh’s scuffed hit inside the penalty area, Rob Manley’s strike was smothered by ’keeper David Harrington.

But Galway were dealt a huge blow with a quarter of an hour on the clock as they were reduced to 10 men when Ed McCarthy kicked out at Cian Bargary as he looked to lead a counter-attack.

But as they soon began to sit deeper, City struggled to break them down as they were too slow in possession as well as having any momentum halted by Healy being forced to make three substitutions due to Ally Gilchrist, David Harrington, and Josh Honohan suffering knocks ensuring a tame first half remained 0-0 at the interval.

City had used