An enterprising Galway United outfit -inspired by a Jay O'Shea wonder strike - claimed a crucial Terryland Park triumph over Bray Wanderers.

 

Having been overturned in Oriel Park by Dundalk this clash with Bray Wanderers increased in significance, and Galway were intent on making a busy start.

 

Ian Foster released Jay O'Shea into an attacking role, and the Republic of Ireland under 21 international attempted to pull the strings.

 

And Galway's bright start was nearly rewarded with an audacious seventh minute free kick from distance just went over. Then Vinny Faherty and Gary McCabe went close at opposite ends of the pitch before Galway hit the front on 23.

 

Inevitably O'Shea was involved curling a delightful shot around Chris O'Connor as Galway grabbed the lead.

 

Though armed with the advantage Galway encountered a few difficult moments in the remainder of the first half as Bray improved with wide men Paddy Kavanagh and McCabe carrying a threat.

 

Bray ought to have restored parity in the 52nd minute, but Cian McBrien cleared a Dane Massey header off the line before Barry Ryan saved the rebound from Paul Byrne.

 

Relieved to have escaped Galway started to stitch pretty passing patterns together again, and a second goal arrived in the 58th minute with McBrien supplying an appropriate finale to an intelligent move.

 

Substitute Jason Molloy added a third in the 84th minute as Galway closed the deal with conviction.

 

Galway United: Ryan; Conneely, Breen, Guthrie, Davoren; Cooke (Molloy, 75), McBrien, Russell (O'Toole, 64), McGrath; O'Shea; Faherty (Edwards, 59).

 

Bray Wanderers: O'Connor; Doyle, Webster, Foran (Tresson, 76), Massey; Kavanagh, Shields, Robson, McCabe; Byrne (Flood, 59), Mulroy (D O'Neill, 64).

 

Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).