Soccer

Injury-ravaged Galway dump Dundalk out of League Cup on penalties

Ger Hanley saves twice as Galway edge holders to reach first final in 18 years

Jake Keegan was on target from the spot for Galway as they dumped holders Dundalk out of the League Cup. Photograph: Getty
Jake Keegan was on target from the spot for Galway as they dumped holders Dundalk out of the League Cup. Photograph: Getty
Mon Aug 03 2015 - 20:21

Galway United 0 Dundalk 0

Holders Dundalk were knocked out of the EA Sports Cup at Eamonn Deacy Park as injury-ravaged Galway United prevailed in a penalty shootout.

Galway United goalkeeper Ger Hanley was the hero as they advanced to their first final in 18 years.

He saved Dundalk's first two penalties, both times diving to his right to deny Ronan Finn and David McMillan.

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That paved the way for Stephen Walsh and David O'Leary to slot home their kicks for Galway and victory was sealed when Jake Keegan and Colm Horgan also scored, after the latter's brother Daryl and John Mountney had converted for the champions.

Both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock in regulation time but when extra-time failed to separate them, Hanley produced the goods to send them through to a final meeting with St Patrick’s Athletic next month.

Galway United: Hanley; Raftery, Oji, Cantwell, Horgan; Molloy (O'Leary, 77), Sinnott, Byrne, Shanahan; Walsh, Keegan.

Dundalk: Sava; Gannon, Barrett, Finnegan, Grimes; Poynton, McDonald (McMillan, 62); Mountney, Finn, Meenan; Byrne (Horgan, 71).

Referee: Ray Matthews (Mullingar).