GOALS FROM LUKE Byrne and Kieran Marty Waters in each half proved the difference for Shamrock Rovers as they collected a valuable three points on the road against Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.
After several early chances Byrne sent the hoops in front five minutes before the break when he nodded home from close range following a Stephen McPhail free kick with United’s defence left exposed.
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After the restart Galway striker Enda Curran bagged his ninth goal of the season just 51 seconds after coming on at half time to equalise for the hosts when he slotted in Gary Shanahan’s knockdown.
On the hour mark Galway were on the hunt for another – this time Curran breaking free on the right side and as he looked for Keegan, the American was hauled down and the resulting free kick from Ryan Connolly was saved by Hyland.
Centre-half Sam Oji then headed over a Connolly corner when he should have done better the hosts looking far more likely to score than Pat Fenlon’s charges at this stage.
But Rovers kept plugging away with patience and after Kieran Marty Waters shot over; he gave the visitors the lead with their first meaningful chance of the second half when he tucked into the bottom corner when he got onto the end of McPhail’s free and they held on for the points.
GALWAY UNITED: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Sam Oji (Killian Cantwell, 80), Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, Alex Byrne, Ryan Connolly, Jake Keegan; Colm O’Donovan (Kevin Garcia, 46), Padraic Cunningham (Enda Curran, 46).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, David Webster, Tim Clancy, Luke Byrne; Brandon Miele (Gavin Brennan, 89), Pat Cregg, Stephen McPhail (Gareth McCaffrey, 81), Ryan Brennan, Gary McCabe; Kieran Marty Waters.
Rovers return to winning ways at Galway's expense
Updated at 7.45am
Galway United 1
Shamrock Rovers 2
GOALS FROM LUKE Byrne and Kieran Marty Waters in each half proved the difference for Shamrock Rovers as they collected a valuable three points on the road against Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.
After several early chances Byrne sent the hoops in front five minutes before the break when he nodded home from close range following a Stephen McPhail free kick with United’s defence left exposed.
After the restart Galway striker Enda Curran bagged his ninth goal of the season just 51 seconds after coming on at half time to equalise for the hosts when he slotted in Gary Shanahan’s knockdown.
On the hour mark Galway were on the hunt for another – this time Curran breaking free on the right side and as he looked for Keegan, the American was hauled down and the resulting free kick from Ryan Connolly was saved by Hyland.
Centre-half Sam Oji then headed over a Connolly corner when he should have done better the hosts looking far more likely to score than Pat Fenlon’s charges at this stage.
But Rovers kept plugging away with patience and after Kieran Marty Waters shot over; he gave the visitors the lead with their first meaningful chance of the second half when he tucked into the bottom corner when he got onto the end of McPhail’s free and they held on for the points.
REFEREE: Neil Doyle (Dublin)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Stephen McPhail
Originally published at 10.10pm 26 June.
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