They say what's rare is wonderful, and for the first time in 20 years, Galway United defeated Shamrock Rovers last Friday night, after opening half goals from Jimmy Keohane and Aaron Bolger secured all three points for John Caulfield's charges.

The hosts were given the dream start after Keohane gave the Tribesmen the lead in the second minute. The Kilkenny native tapped the ball into a near empty net, after Bolger's initial effort was smartly saved by Ed McGinty.

Backed by a large travelling support, Rovers grew into the contest after this, but they were unable to really test the United defence in the opening 30 minutes, despite dominating possession.

Just before matters began on Corribside, the Hoops suffered a blow as Jack Byrne was deemed not fit to start the game, with John O'Sullivan taking his place in the starting 11.

As well as defending well in the opening half, John Caulfield's charges looked dangerous on the break. The former Cork City manager was angered by his side's performance in their FAI Cup semi-final defeat against Derry City last time out, and there is no doubt he got a reaction from his players in this game.

Rovers' first real chance came just before the half hour mark, but a series of blocks from the United defence in the space of a few seconds, kept the defending champions out.

On the stroke of half-time, against the run of play, the hosts doubled their lead, after an outstanding strike by Aaron Bolger. The ball fell to the former St. Patrick's Athletic player on the edge of the penalty area, and he rifled a left footed effort past McGinty in the Rovers goal.

The Dubliners pushed for goals in the second period, but none came despite huge chances coming the way of Graham Burke and Afolabi.

Despite defending for much of the second half, United almost made it 3-0 with just over quarter of an hour remaining, when Bolger unleashed another incredible long-range effort, but this time his effort was tipped over by McGinty.

The Tallaght outfit created a number of chances in the second half, especially for Graham Burke and Jonathan Afolabi but they were unable to find the net.

Especially in the final quarter, the Hoops threw everything they had at the home defence, with substitute Afolabi denied late on by a superb, point-blank Da Cunha stop, but a comeback wasn’t to be as Terryland erupted at the full-time whistle.

Stephen Bradley's charges looked flat in the game, and it was clear they were unable to reach the levels they showed against Bohs in their Dublin Derby win, the previous Monday night.

The result, coupled be Bohemian's victory over Waterford on Friday, means that we still have a title race. Rovers lead Bohemians by three points with both teams left with two games to play. The Hoops are far from over the line in their bid to retain the title.

Bolger, Keohane and Kris Twardek were in inspired form for the Tribesmen, but to a man Galway were excellent, in possibly their best team performance and result of the season.

After the game, Caulfield was extremely proud of his side’s performance in this game, especially with how they defended.

The win also all but confirmed that Premier Division football will be returning to Eamonn Deacy Park in 2027. Following the win, the men in maroon now only require one more point in their remaining games, to avoid the dreaded, promotion/relegation playoff spot.

Galway United: Da Cunha; Barratt, O'Connor, Facchineri, Devitt; Bolger, Hurley, Keohane, Twardek, McCarthy (Wolfe 82); Walsh (Connolly 90).

Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Cleary (Grant 72), Lopes, Grace; O'Sullivan (Fitzgerald 65), Sobowale, Healy (Brennan 45), Watts, Burke, Mulraney (Afolabi 45); McGovern.

Referee: Damien McGrath

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