Stephen Walsh brace helps Galway United to win over Drogheda

They take the mid-season break 14 points clear of the bottom, with their sights firmly upwards. Despite an early scare, when Evan Weir fired a dangerous fear, there was little jeopardy.

Thu, 13 Jun, 2024 - 22:18

Caomhán O'Connell

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Galway United 3 (Walsh 7', 61', O'Keefe 90+3') Drogheda United 0

Two classic centre-forward finishes ‘Mr. Galway United’ put the gloss on a characteristically strong performance from Galway United as they accounted for Drogheda in Eamonn Deacy Park.

They take the mid-season break 14 points clear of the bottom, with their sights firmly upwards. Despite an early scare, when Evan Weir fired a dangerous fear, there was little jeopardy.

After starting on the backfoot, Galway United went one up against the run of play. Karl O’ Sullivan made ground on the right and delivered an accurate cross. Stephen Walsh squirmed free and his header was in before Andrew Wogan could react.

It will have frustrated Drogheda, who were bright before and after. Evan Weir and Darragh Markey troubled Brendan Clarke and the visitors enjoyed territory and possession.

Garry Buckley, in only his second start this season, was influential and looked to release Walsh at every opportunity. Steve Bawa impressed up front for Drogheda but was withdrawn injured in the 24th minute.

The visitors passed well, but their high defensive line looked fragile at times with Walsh lurking menacingly. Darragh Markey stood out in the first half as he operated with craft in front of the back four.

It was Walsh though who nearly created the second when after a strong run, his cross was diverted goalward by Conor Kane. Wogan touched it off the bar and his defenders scrambled clear to keep Drogheda in it.

His scrambling save in the second half wasn’t enough to deny United because when he turned away Buckley’s header, Walsh turned in the rebound for 2-0 after 60 minutes.

The game died out thereafter. Drogheda failed to muster much of a response while Galway cruised comfortably. Conor O’ Keeffe wasn’t happy with this consensus and scored a screamer late on to finish with a flourish.

Galway United: Clarke; Esua, Nugent, Brouder, Kazeem; McCarthy (O’ Keeffe 83), Buckley (Hickey 66), McCormack, Hurley (Fitzgerald 90), O’ Sullivan (Lomboto 84); Walsh (Gaxha 90)

Drogheda United: Wogan; Henney, Quinn (Davis 45), Keaney, Kane; Foley (Cailloce 60), Brennan, Markey, O’ Brien (Webster 74), Weir; Bawa 6 (Pierrot 24)

Referee: N Doyle