A brace of penalties from Jimmy Keohane, and a Stephen Walsh strike saw Galway United pick up their second away derby win of the season over last placed Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Monday night.

This game was a typical derby affair, with the game played at a high tempo, with lots of physicality throughout.

The result sees Galway now effectively end any chance of automatic relegation, as they got back to winning ways after blowing a two goal lead over Bohs on Friday night.

For the Bit O’Red, relegation looks ominous now as they are cut adrift from fellow strugglers, Waterford and Drogheda.

One positive for Sligo is that they have introduced a number academy players into their squad in recent weeks, with a number of club U20 players seeing game time recently.

The hosts started this game on top, and they took the lead inside the first 10 minutes when Cian Kavanagh finished well from close range. The hosts would’ve hoped this was a sign of things to come, but that wasn’t the case as their western rivals bullied them physically for much of the team wonder of the contest.

In the 18th minute, the westerns levelled matters after Dave Hurley was fouled in the Sligo box, to the dismay of the home dugout. Surprisingly, usual penalty taker, Hurley did not step up to take the spot kick, but captain, Jimmy Keohane did finish the resulting penalty to the back of the net.

This goal gave the visiting confidence and seven minutes before the break they took the lead, when the inform Stephen Walsh grabbed another fantastic goal.

Sligo will be disappointed how they conceded their goals on Friday night, as they were all avoidable goals to concede. They also struggled to deal with Galway’s physicality.

Despite this game being played on a Monday night, the attendance for a derby was disappointing as only 1738 were in attendance. About 120 loyal maroon army men made the trip to the north west to follow John Caulfield’s men.

Rovers did push for an equaliser in the third corner, but Hugo da Cunha in the Galway goal dealt with everything thrown at him comfortably.

Despite continuing to mount pressure in the final quarter, Sligo always looked vulnerable on the break. And their naivety showed again on Monday, as with four minutes remaining Galway received another penalty.

Yet again, Keohane stood up to take the penalty, and calmly slotted the ball home to seal the points for the 2023 First Division champions.

Rob Harvey’s full time whistle was greeted by a few boos from the home faithful, but by and large the Sligo support base has excepted their faith and understand their time at the top flight is coming to an attend.

Galway on the other hand have looked seriously impressive at times this season. There is no doubt for the next few weeks they will have half an eye on their FAI Cup semi-final tie against Derry next month. In Terryland against the Candystripes, you would have to be a fool to bet against them reaching their first Cup final since 1991.

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