Galway take spoils to continue winning run over Waterford

WINNING RUN: Patrick Hickey of Galway United, 15, celebrates with team-mate Killian Brouder after scoring. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Galway Utd 1 (Hickey 23') Waterford 0

Another great game in this budding rivalry ended in a tight 1-0 win for Galway United. Dominant in the first, Waterford came roaring back in the second and will feel aggrieved to continue their miserable run of seven without a win against Galway.

The template was established early. Patrick Hickey and Stephen Walsh won nearly everything in the air and both went close with headers in the opening minutes.

The long throw-ins of Ed McCarthy have reaped dividends for the home team in recent weeks and the trick worked again in the 23rd minute. Rob Slevin rose highest and Patrick Hickey volleyed home from six yards.

Hickey nearly doubled the advantage from a corner, mere minutes later as Waterford buckled under the onslaught. Early yellow cards for Grant Horton and Kacper Radkowski spoke to the pressure being felt.

The home team’s tempo proved difficult to sustain and Waterford enjoyed a purple patch before half-time. They fashioned a wonderful chance after a good advantage was played by Damien MacGraith.

Connor Evans broke down the right and cut back for Amond whose shot was cruelly denied by the bar.

There was a sea change Corribside in the second as Waterford were in the ascendancy. United felt the losses of Walsh and Conor McCormack. Parsons, Dean McMenamy and Darragh Leahy all caused bother for Brendan Clarke but none could convert.

Waterford did enjoy some luck when Kacper Radkowski escaped a red card midway through the second after a push. The ref may have been remembering some lenience shown to McCormack in the first half.

The visitors had their chances. Amond tried a clever flick that pulled a scrambling save from Brendan Clarke. Waterford’s pressure continued to build – they forced two corners in succession and went close from both.

The last ten minutes were more calm as United shored up their defence and hung on for a valuable win.

Galway United: Clarke; Esua, Buckley, Brouder, Slevin (Burns 80); Keohane, Nugent, McCormack (Hurley 45), Hickey, McCarthy (Uzokwe 80); Walsh (Lomboto 51, O’ Sullivan 88) 

Waterford: Sargeant; Power, Horton, Radkowski (Bellis 73), Leahy; Evans (Arubi 60), McCormack, McCourt (Burke 80), McMenamy, Parsons; Amond 

Referee: D MacGraith