A 71st minute Johnny Kenny goal earned Sligo Rovers a 1-all draw away to Galway United in a pre-season friendly today ahead of the upcoming League of Ireland season.
The Premier Division side were pushed all the way by their First Division counterparts, with the contest getting off to a blistering start for United; after Conor O’Keefe found Ruairi Keating on the right-wing. The centre-forward fed Padraic Cunningham, who gave The Tribesmen the lead after two minutes.
Galway were lively in the opening few minutes and were boosted by the goal. O’Keeffe sent in a delicious ball into the box to find Cunningham. He would come close again when his header went past Edward McGinty. The linesman’s ruled it offside.
Galway came alive in the second half when Cunningham sliced a headed effort past the Sligo defence in the 55th minute.
Keating showed a real turn of pace to get in behind, but the striker could not hit the target as he shot his attempt over the crossbar.
Sligo’s came close in again in the 58th minute when an attempted effort from outside the box was well saved by Conor Kearns to keep Galway at bay.
The visitors bagged an equaliser in the 71st minute following a United mistake, when striker Johnny Kenny headed past Kearns from close range.
The score-line remained level at the full-time whistle as United continued their pre-season with a positive performance against a Premier Division outfit.
Sligo face Dundalk next month to kick off their League of Ireland campaign, while Galway host Longford at Eamonn Deacy Park this weekend.
Final Whistle
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