Shane Keegan revealed that a pre-match pep talk helped spur Ronan Murray to be Galway United’s match winner in Ballybofey last night.
Two goals from Murray in the final 14 minutes helped Galway defeat Finn Harps 3-1 and move just two points behind the Donegal side.
Picture caption: Mark Timlin in action for Finn Harps against Galway United: Picture by North West Newspix
“I had a brief chat with Ronan before the game,” Keegan said.
“He’s a player who, above all, sets very high standards for himself. He had a fantastic first half of the season. He hadn’t hit those heights over the last month, but I said if ever there was a game where he needed to hit them, this was it.”
Murray curled home a delightful free-kick in the 76th minute before his industry resulted in his second and Galway’s third seven minutes from time.
Keegan said: “Part of his standards is extra work after training. It’s trying to get him off the training field we’re trying to do.”
Earlier, Eddie Dsane had cancelled out the opening goal by Gavan Holohan, while Harps played with ten men for the last half-an-hour after Paddy McCourt was sent off.
Galway hadn’t won away from home since the early months of 2016 in the League until last night, but this win could prove significant.
Keegan said: “It’s a massive win. The three points is what it’s all about. It wasn’t one of our best performance, but it was all about the three points and we’ve got them.
“It could have finished four-all. It was a ridiculously open game.”
Listen to the full interview below …