Tipperary Soccer: Emphatic away win puts Galbally United in control at top of table
Clonmel Credit Union League Division 2
Suirside 0 – 4 Galbally United
The top two in the Second Division faced off in Ardfinnan on Sunday afternoon, when league leaders Suirside hosted in-form Galbally United in a game that will have repercussions on where the title may land at the end of the season.
And it took only two minutes for the away side to show their intent when they took the lead thanks to a wonderful strike from all of 30 yards out by Patrick Murphy, that fizzed to the net and left the home keeper flat footed as he watched it fly by.
The home side eventually settled and almost equalised ten minutes later when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Gavin Ryan, but his effort was blocked and kicked away to safety.
Six minutes later a John Allen free kick was touched around the post by the visiting keeper, when it looked destined for the net.
Three minutes later the home side were to rue the missed chances as the visitors added a second when a Bernard O’Brien free kick deceived the home keeper and flew directly to the net, giving Galbally a very strong position in the game.
Despite the home side pressing, they were unable to break down the Galbally defence and the away team went to the break leading by 2-0.
The second half saw Suirside press forward at every opportunity as they tried to get back into it, but in doing so they were leaving gaps behind in defence which Galbally were looking to exploit on the break.
The home side were desperately unlucky on the hour mark to see a John Darmody effort shave the post, but go wide.
Seven minutes later, they were dealt a hammer blow, when Galbally added a third, courtesy of another wonder strike by Patrick Murphy, much to the delight of his team mates. John English added a fourth 18 minutes from time as the visiting side seemed to be trying to outdo themselves in terms of the quality of their goals, with another long range effort that saw the rigging in the home goal tested.
From then until the end, the visitors just toyed with the home side and ran out easy winners to also take their place at the top of the Second Division table.