Hoops extend League lead

Galway United 0 Shamrock Rovers 1

Karl Sheppard returned to haunt the club that re-ignited his career with the only goal at Terryland Park to stretch champions Shamrock Rovers' lead at the top of the table to two points.

Striker Sheppard, pivotal in helping to keep Galway in the Premier Division last season, hit the game's only goal after seven minutes.

Winger Gary McCabe whipped over a cross from the right and Sheppard beat Greg Fleming with a header.

Galway responded and efforts from Sean Kelly and Alan Murphy came close to levelling the scores before half-time.

But with central defenders Ken Oman and captain Dan Murray outstanding, Rovers defended their lead well throughout the second half.

Murphy was narrowly off target with a free-kick for Galway while Ronan Finn might have extended Rovers winning margin, but was wide with a late effort.