EDWARD McCARTHY’S first-half strike stunned Shelbourne as the league leaders fell to a loss at Galway United.
John Caulfield’s side had only scored six goals in their opening six games and faced a stern test as the Reds looked to bounce back from their first defeat of the season by Bohemians last week.
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Shels were without their travelling support due to a ban over pyro.
And the visitors struggled in the first half.
A chance fell United’s way on ten minutes when Stephen Walsh was found by David Hurley at the back post, but the home forward got his angles wrong.
Galway were in control and took the lead on 24 minutes as ex-Treaty winger McCarthy met a cross from Aodh Dervin at the back post.
The hosts continued to cause problems, putting on pressure up the pitch.
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They almost doubled their lead minutes before the break through the excellent Dervin.
The winger latched on to a pinpoint through ball by McCarthy before cutting in and cannoning a curling effort off Conor Kearns’ left post.
Shels boss Damien Duff made a triple substitution ten minutes into the second half.
New introduction Will Jarvis almost levelled after collecting a ball and finding himself in on goal but United stopper Brendan Clarke smothered the effort.
Tyreke Wilson and Seán Boyd went close for Shels.
The tension was increasing and Caulfield was dismissed for a touchline incident with Shels’ bench, which began with United’s kitman getting involved.
The Reds had a couple of late corners — but United held firm.
SUN STAR MAN
Aodh Dervin (Galway)
GALWAY UNITED: Clarke 7; O’Keeffe 7, Brouder 7, Slevin 7, Kazeem 7; Borden 6, McCormack 7, Hurley 6, Dervin 8 (O’Sullivan 75, 6), McCarthy 8; Walsh 7
SHELBOURNE: Kearns 7; Gannon 5 (Ledwidge 57, 6), Barrett 7, Molloy 5, Wilson 7; Caffrey 7 (Jarvis 57, 6), Lunney 7; Burt 7, O’Sullivan 7; Farrell 6 (Smith 57, 6), Boyd 7.
REFEREE: D MacGraith (Mayo) 6.
