Rovers stretch unbeaten run

Galway United 0 Shamrock Rovers 1

Both sides finished with ten men as Stephen Bradley’s first league goal of the season stretched Shamrock Rovers’ unbeaten run to 16 matches as they closed the gap on leaders Bohemians to four points.

Galway had defender Shane Guthrie sent off on 39 minutes following an off the ball clash with Rovers' striker Dessie Baker.

After a tight first half, Rovers took command from the resumption and Gary Twigg rattled the Galway crossbar with a header on 48 minutes.

Rovers kept up the pressure and Galway keeper Barry Ryan made a terrifc save from Bradley on 73 minutes before the former Arsenal trainee beat him with a brilliant free-kick for the only goal of the game a minute later.

Rovers then had defender Pat Sullivan sent off in the final minute when he received two quick bookings, for a foul on Alan Murphy and then for kicking the ball away.