Hoops put four past Tribesmen

Shamrock Rovers 4 Galway United 0

The champions eased to an expected win to maintain their three point lead at the top of the table.

Stephen Rice raced onto Pat Sullivan's terrific through ball to shoot Rovers in front on 15 minutes.

Galway battled well until half-time, but once Rovers got their second the game was over as a contest.

That came on 48 minutes when Gary McCabe swept home opposite winger Billy Dennehy's cross.

Gary Twigg tapped in the third on 66 minutes after Dennehy squared the ball to him after drawing keeper Greg Fleming.

Fleming then made a string of fine saves before Dennehy drilled home the fourth goal in the 89th minute.