REPORT: Galway United 3-0 Bray Wanderers (First Division)

Galway United continued their fine league form with a 3-0 home victory over Bray Wanderers on Friday night.

A spectacular Stephen Walsh bicycle kick goal in the first half set the tone on Corribside as United swept aside the Seagulls at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Walsh would double his and the Tribesmen’s tally early in the second period before midfield maestro David Hurley netted his 15th goal of the campaign with 10 minutes to go.

It was on the stroke of half-time when the moment of the match materialised. The game’s Man of the Match, Walsh, latched onto a Conor McCormack header and produced a stunning overhead kick to give former United keeper Matthew Connor no chance in the Bray net.

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Stephen Walsh 👏#LOI | #GALBRY pic.twitter.com/crUGzlXkwE

— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) July 28, 2023

Walsh grabbed his second ten minutes after the interval, this time an easier task, when he scored into an empty net from close range to the delight of the Terryland faithful.

Top goalscorer Hurley put the icing on the cake in the 80th minute with an emphatic finish following a pinpoint cutback from Ronan Manning.

United are now 18 points clear at the top of the First Division table with 12 games go. Up next is an away trip to Ballybofey on August 4 when John Caulfield’s side take on Finn Harps.

TEAMS

Galway United: B. Clarke, R. Slevin, K. Brouder, S. Walsh, D. Hurley, R. Manning (85’ F. Lomboto), V. Borden (76’ A. Dervin), C. Horgan (85’ E. O’Connor), C. McCormack, E. McCarthy (81’ W. Aouachria), O. O’Reilly.

Bray Wanderers: M. Connor, L. O’Sullivan (85’ Z. Nolan), D. Webster, C. Crowley, C. Lyons (71’ J. Walker), C. Omorehiomwan, B. Feeney (71’ C. Thompson), D. Craven, M. Murphy, G. Almiral (85’ Y. Mahdy), S. Quinn (63’ H. Groome).

Referee: Oliver Moran