Galway United gain promotion to the top flight in style
TITLE CLINCHED: Galway United's David Hurley celebrates scoring his sides second goal. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Galway United are First Division champions and will return to the top flight for the first time since 2017. Galway just needed a point to secure the title and having found difficulty in breaching the Kerry FC defence early on they came good in the second half.
Kerry FC survived a first quarter battering to keep Galway United at bay with Edward McCarthy going closest for the champions-elect in the 20th minute when he whipped a shot inches wide from just inside the box. Kerry FC were defending well with Ethan Kos again outstanding but a defensive error eventually saw Galway United make the breakthrough.
In the 28th minute, Kevin Williams played the ball back to keeper Lee Axworthy who scuffed his clearance. Edward McCarthy ran onto the ball but Ethan Kos saved the day with a last ditch tackle. But David Hurley’s resultant in-swinging corner was powerfully headed home by Wassim Aouachria to give Galway United a 1-0 lead.
To Kerry FC’s credit they continued to battle and went close to getting an equaliser in the 40th minute when Leo Gaxha played in Sean McGrath whose shot was saved by keeper Brendan Clarke with the help of the post.
While Galway United had the lion’s share of possession, the Kerry FC back five defended stoutly and in first half injury time Gaxha was denied by keeper Clarke as he tried to head the ball over the advancing keeper.
Galway United just needed a point but went in search of goals in the second half and Axworthy had to make a fine save to deny Lomboto who carved open the Kerry FC defence in the 50th minute.
Ten minutes later Axworthy made a wonder save to keep a Stephen Walsh header out after great work by Hurley. Kerry FC nearly grabbed an equaliser in the 59th when Gleeson’s cross was met by Sean O’Connell whose shot was turned behind by Clarke.
Galway United eventually made the title safe in the 73rd minute when Lomboto was taken down for a penalty and David Hurley expertly dispatched the ball low to the keepers left. Lomboto then added a third in the 84th minute when he slipped the ball past Axworthy.
Then in the final minute David Hurley’s corner went all the way to the Kerry FC net to put the icing on the Galway United cake.
Elsewhere, second-placed Waterford won comfortably on the road, seeing off Longford Town 3-0 at Bishopsgate with Ryan Burke, Ronan Coughlan and Christine Pattisson on the scoresheet. Meanwhile Wexford defeated Bray Wanderers 2-1 at Ferrycarrig thanks to a late winner from Cian O'Malley.
Axworthy, O'Connell, Kos, Williams, Aladesanusi, Kennedy (Gleeson h/t)), Teahan, Coughlan (Brosnan 79), McGrath (Okwute 66), Gaxha, Kelliher (Amechi 79).
Clarke; McCormack (O’Keeffe 79), Nugent (Donelon h/t), Brouder, Slevin, Borden, Hurley, Clarke (Lomboto inj 35), Walsh (Manley 79), McCarthy; Auoachria (Dervin 75).
Alan Patchell (Dublin).
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