2 v 0 
Galway Utd| 3' Alex Murphy | ||
| Rory Gaffney 17' | 1-0 | |
| Dylan Watts 21' | 2-0 | |
| Sean Gannon 25' |
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 July 2021 | 8:00 pm | FAI Cup | 2021 |
Match Report
Rovers deliver opening strike in FAI Cup
Shamrock Rovers made the optimum start to their 2021 FAI Cup campaign, after a 2-0 win over Galway United at Tallaght Stadium tonight.
Goals by Rory Gaffney and Dylan Watts in the first half, were enough to give the side the victory, as they will progress into the next round of the competition.
In truth it was a game that Rovers never looked like losing, both goals coming less than a half hour into the tie, leaving it very one sided in favour of the home side. Galway failed to make any headway, despite having a much better second half, but failed to beat Alan Mannus.
The Dubliners were the favourites going into this cup tie, but it was Alan Mannus who was the busiest of the goalkeepers, in the first quarter of the game, having to save a header aimed toward his goal.
The Hoops played with great tempo passing the ball around and got their reward in the 17th minute. A lovely well worked move on the right,, saw Richie Towell play a cross into the Galway box, it looked like the keeper was about to catch it, but Gaffney stuck a leg out to fire his side into the lead.
The hosts doubled their lead shortly after, yet again another cross into the Galway box from the right, this time it was Sean Gannon who played the cross in, with Dylan Watts on hand to fire a shot into the left hand bottom corner.
As the second half started it looked like it would be a tough 45 minutes for the visiting side, but Ruairi Keating now moved as a lone striker, was wreaking havoc when he got a chance at the Rovers defence.
The Tribes man hitting the post in the 70th minute, before forcing the best out of Alan Mannus in the 78th minute, as the keeper made a phenomenal stop.
Galways only other chance of the tie fell to Caoilfhionn O’Dea, who hit a shot from outside the box, but Mannus denied him well with a fine fingertip save, showing his experience in between the sticks.
Timeline
| 3' | 25. Alex Murphy | |
| 20. Rory Gaffney | 17' | |
| 7. Dylan Watts | 21' | |
| 2. Sean Gannon | 25' | |
| 32' | Alex Murphy Caoilfhionn O'Dea |
|
| 45' | Wilson Waweru Thomas Oluwa |
|
| Joey O'Brien Liam Scales |
62' | |
| Rory Gaffney Aaron Greene |
73' | |
| Richie Towell Conan Noonan |
73' | |
| 73' | Mikie Rowe Padraic Cunningham |
|
| Sean Kavanagh Max Murphy |
79' | |
| 81' | Mikey Place Colin Kelly |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 11)
2 - 1Eamonn Deacy Park Galway United v Shamrock Rovers |
|
(Series 2)
1 - 1Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers v Galway United |
1 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway United FC v Shamrock Rovers FC |
2 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers FC v Galway United FC |
1 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway United FC v Shamrock Rovers FC |
4 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers FC v Galway United FC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway United FC v Shamrock Rovers FC |
2LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers FC v Galway United FC |
2LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers FC v Galway United FC |
1 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway United FC v Shamrock Rovers FC |
3LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers FC v Galway United FC |
Ground
| Tallaght Stadium |
|---|
| Tallaght Stadium, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 XC9W |
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.
Colin Kelly replaces Mikey Place
Max Murphy replaces Sean Kavanagh for Rovers
Another fantastic chance for Ruairi Keating who firs a shot at goal but Alan Mannus makes a phenomenal save
Padraic Cunningham replaces Mikie Rowe
Debut for young Conan Noonan he replaces Richie Towell
Aaron Greene replaces Rory Gaffney
Another big chance for Galway, Keating manages to cut inside but his shot hits the post
Liam Scales come in after the hour mark replacing Joey O'Brien
Great chance for Galway to try and find the net, O'Dea hits a shot from outside the box but Mannus denies him well with a fine finger tip save to put the ball out for a corner
Fantastic chance for Rovers to make it 3-0, Gannon plays in another fantastic cross and Richie Towell meets it well but his strike grazes the post and goes wide
Thomas Oluwa comes on at half time for Wilson Waweru
Half time in Tallaght, the home side have been completely dominant, as the tie is now one sided in the favour of Rovers, could be a long second half for Galway
Early change for Galway as Alex Murphy goes off for Caoilfhionn O’Dea
Gannon receives a yellow card after a rash challenge
Gannon plays a lovely cross in from the right and Watts meets the ball perfectly and fires into the bottom left hand corner
Dylan Watts doubles his sides lead
A beautiful cross by Towell is met by Gaffney who finishes from close range
And just like that Rovers lead
First chance of the night falls to Galway, a cross from a free kick is headed toward goal but Mannus saves easily
Alex Murphy fouls Graham Burke and goes into the book
Minutes away from kick off here in Tallaght
We await team news from Galway, Shamrock Rovers have named a strong side for tonights tie, no major rests from their previous ties in the league and Europe
Its the Premier Division Champions and current league leaders taking on 2nd place in the First Division tonight, Rovers have won this competition 25 times now, Galway on the other hand have tasted success just once, winning in 1991, they however finished runners up in 1985, losing 1-0 to tonights opponents
You are very welcome to Tallaght Stadium for tonights first round FAI Cup action, as Shamrock Rovers take on Galway United, my name is Diarmuid Kearney and I will keep you updated of events in Dublin this evening