Shamrock Rovers out in front after win in Galway

Teenager Michael Noonan opened the Hoops' account early.

Fri, 08 May, 2026 - 21:27

Paul Madden

Galway United 1 Shamrock 3

Shamrock Rovers strengthened their position at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division with a 3-1 win away to Galway United.

Michael Noonan was played in by John McGovern just one minute in, the Ireland U21 international cutting inside on his right foot to drill the ball home and give the Hoops an early 1-0 lead.

Rovers again stepped up the pace and slowly took control of the game, and they were rewarded on 25 minutes when a Sobowale cross deflected off Ed McCarthy, Evan Watts missing the ball which bounced onto the post for Adam Brennan to calmly slot home and double the Hoops’ lead.

Galway restarted and it was almost deja-vu as some great work by Brennan found Healy in space on the edge of the area, his shot drifting narrowly wide. The home side took full advantage, going straight down the other end to win a corner which was swung in perfectly by Hurley onto the head of substitute Matty Wolfe, who nodded past McGinty to make it 2-1 just two minutes into the second half.

The home side continued to press for an equaliser with a Williams header cleared off the line by Cleary, but Rovers were a constant threat on the break and some excellent footwork by Victor Ozhianvuna found Tunmise Sobowale in space, the right-back smashing home to restore Rovers’ two-goal lead and make it 3-1.

The Tribesmen threw everything they had to get back in the game with Devitt, Piesold, Pierrot and Bolger all coming close, but some excellent goalkeeping by Ed McGinty kept the Tribesmen at bay as the Hoops made it three wins in a row to extend their lead at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Galway Utd: E Watts, C Barratt (Devitt 77’), A Kazeem (Wolfe 45’), C McCormack, W Williams, A Bolger, J Keohane (c), D Hurley (N Fleuriau Chateau 77’), K Twardek (Pierrot 45’), E McCarthy, S Walsh (A Piesold 71’).

Shamrock Rovers: E McGinty, T Sobowale, D Cleary, L Grace (c), E Stevens, M Healy, J Byrne (D Watts 75’), V Ozhianvuna (C Malley 81’), A Brennan (M Asamoah 77’), J McGovern (A Greene 75’), M Noonan (G Burke 75’).

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan