Stephen Bradley's 74th minute free kick ensured Shamrock Rovers cut the gap on leaders Bohemians to four points.

 

In a tight game at Terryland Park Galway had Shane Guthrie reduced in the 39th minute, and while Rovers bossed the second half they had to wait until late on before scoring.

 

Bradley forced Galway custodian Barry Ryan to make a superb save on 73, but a minute later the ex Arsenal youngster scored.

 

Despite a slow start the opening period wasn't short on incident as chances were fashioned at either end, while Galway were also reduced to 10 men in the 39th minute. Referee Anthomy Buttimer dismissed Galway defender Guthrie for his involvement in an off the ball ball clash with Dessie Baker, but by that stage the locals were happy with how their team was competing.

 

Galway were eager and enthusiastic, and Rovers needed Pat Sullivan to make a superb 18th minute tackle to deny Aaron Greene following a tidy Dave Cooke pass. Still Rovers carried a threat throughout, and in the 27th minute Garry Breen had to be alert to deny a Baker effort after Aidan Price had headed down Stephen Rice's long throw.

 

Then in the 31st minute Bradley fashioned an opportunity for Shane Robinson, who was denied by a smart Barry Ryan save. The next major incident saw Guthrie put off, and that scarcely aided the Galway cause as manager Ian Foster was forced to make a couple of switches to his team as Sean Kelly dropped back to partner Breen at the back, with Alan Murphy switching into the centre of the park.

 

Rovers roared into the game in the third quarter and Galway were fortunate to escape two scares shortly after the restart. Breen made a brave tackle to turn a Rice effort out for a corner, but from that move Bradley and Baker worked it short and the ex Arsenal trainee crossed for Gary Twigg, who rattled the crossbar with a firm header.

 

In the 73rd minute Ryan made a diving fingertip save from a Bradley free kick, but Rovers refused to be perturbed, and Bradley rifled an unstoppable winner on 74.

 

Hoops full back Pat Sullivan saw red in stoppage time for a second caution, but the Dubliners still claimed all the spoils.

 

Galway United: Ryan; Conneely, Breen, Guthrie, Davoren (O'Toole 14); Cooke, Kelly, Russell, McBrien (Molloy 82); Murphy, Greene (Faherty 72).

 

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Sullivan, Price, Sives, Bermingham; Bradley, Rice, Robinson (Cahill 66), O'Connor; Twigg (Barrett 66), Baker (Flynn 90).

 

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).