Shelbourne dig deep to edge past gritty Galway

League leaders Shelbourne ended this old-school battle on a bad pitch a man down but a goal up as gritty Galway gave it all but it was not enough.

On a cold evening after a day of heavy rain, John Martin decided matters on 15 minutes, with Shels losing substitute Shane Farrell to a worrying injury at the death and having to soldier on with ten men.

The difficult conditions ensured it was never going to be a classic but it was gripping in stages. Shels generally had United where they wanted them in the second half but the promoted Tribesmen will take plenty of positives across the Shannon this evening.

Are Shels title contenders? The encouraging thing for coach Damien Duff is that they can play better than this - and they are excellent defensively.

Duff, who turned 45 on Saturday, made three changes from the team that won in Sligo, Kameron Ledwidge, Evan Caffrey and Martin coming into the starting lineup.

Galway, who came from behind at home to beat Waterford last Friday, having won at Dundalk, picked the same starting 11 thrice in succession.

For all that there were not many chances, the first half was noteworthy in how much better United were than Shels in the first ten minutes, when the Reds barely got out of their half; ultimately, though, the star quality of Will Jarvis, on loan from Hull City until the end of the 2024 season, was the difference.

The outstanding Conor McCormack, former Red Aodh Dervin and Vince Borden - three of United's five in midfield - had half-chances for but Shels scored with their first meaningful attack.

Karl O'Sullivan couldn't control the ball, Shels broke and Jarvis struck a sweet curling effort off the butt of former Shels keeper Brendan Clarke's post. John Martin was blessed by the uncertainty