Match Report – Shamrock Rovers v Galway United

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division

Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Galway United

Galway United suffered a narrow defeat on Wednesday night in their penultimate game of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division, despite a gallant performance at Tallaght Stadium.

John Caulfield’s side started brightly and they nearly took the lead in the second minute. Jimmy Keohane went on a marauding run down the left flank, before firing a left footed effort narrowly wide. 

Stephen Bradley’s side grew into the contest after that scare, and for the next 10 minutes Rovers dominated possession. 

The Hoops first real chance of the game came in the 15th minute. 17-year-old Maxim Kovalevskis picked up the ball on the right flank, and he whipped a delightful delivery into the United box, which found the head of Rory Gaffney, but his header was comfortably saved by Brendan Clarke. 

John Caulfield’s side had a huge opportunity to take the lead in the 18th minute, when Keohane’s deflected effort from a tight angle went agonisingly close, following a superb mazy run by Jeannot Esua.

Moments later, the hosts came close twice in the space of a minute, however to the relief of the away side both efforts were off target. 

Firstly, Gaffney linked up well with Conor Malley, before the former Sligo Rovers player fired his effort over Clarke’s crossbar. 

Seconds later, Malley then played a delightful ball to Gaffney, but the Tuam native fired his shot wide of the target. 

In the 36th minute, Stephen Walsh dropped deep to receive possession, and he clipped a brilliant ball into the Rovers box from the left wing. The ball eventually fell to Aaron Bolger inside the box, but his volley went over Ed McGinty’s crossbar. 

Just under five minutes later, Garry Buckley had a big chance for the visitors on the edge of the penalty area, but his strike was saved by McGinty.

Like the first half, the away side began the second half strongly and they had the first chance of the second half in the 58th minute. Following good play by Patrick Hickey and Keohane, Walsh found himself in possession, but his strike was saved by McGinty. 

Just after the hour mark, Rovers introduced Graham Burke off the bench, as part of a quadruple substitution, and the former Preston North End player almost made an instant impact but his shot from the edge of the box, flashed over the Galway crossbar.

With 15 minutes remaining, the champions did eventually take the lead. Following a foul by Killian Brouder on Gaffney on the edge of the United box, Dylan Watts dispatched an exquisite effort into the top corner, giving Clarke no chance in the visitors’ goal. 

The 2023 First Division champions battled well for the remaining minutes, but they couldn’t find that all important equaliser as Rovers held on for a 1-0 win, as they were officially made SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division champions. 

Next up for United is a trip to Waterford on Saturday afternoon, in their final league game of the campaign. A draw or a win in that game will guarantee the Tribesmen topflight football for 2026.