Dundalk moved six points clear of Galway United in fifth place of the League of Ireland Premier Division with a convincing victory over the Tribesmen at Oriel Park.

 

Galway goalkeeper Barry Ryan was called into action three times in the opening 10 minutes. First he denied Michael Daly's 20 yard effort before showing safe hands to hold onto Michael McGowan's in-swinging free-kick.

 

A nice three-man move on the edge of the box in the 9th minute allowed Chris Turner to get his effort away for the home side, but once again Ryan was equal to the task. Turner then whistled a vicious effort over the bar as Sean Connor's men pushed for an early opener.

 

Ian Foster's side offered little from open play early on. Garry Breen had their clearest opportunity in the 18th minute. The centre-half should have done better with a free header from Alan Murphy's corner.

 

Dundalk were let off the hook again seven minutes later when Murphy's cross just evaded Vinny Faherty after the Galway number 10 had left Thomas Heary for dead on the left flank.

 

Michael Daly's blistering effort almost lifted the crowd in the 33rd minute. His shot looked destined for the top corner but, again, Ryan was equal to the task, saving brilliantly with his fingertips. The Galway goalkeeper then showed powerful wrists to beat away Alex Williams' effort right on the stroke of half-time.

 

Ryan's heroics continued when he produced two world-class saves to deny McGowan in the opening minute of the second-half, but there was nothing he could do to stop Williams tappinghome in the 48th minute after Kevin McKinlay's header back across goal found the Scottish striker in the right place at the right time.

 

He should have doubled the lead seven minutes later. Ger Rowe whipped in a sensational cross from the right, Williams met it with his head, however the ball cannoned off the crossbar.

 

The woodwork came to Galway's rescue again in the 65th minute. Daly showed great vision to pick out McGowan and his cross was inadvertently smacked against the crossbar by Seamus Conneely.

 

The result was put to bed in the 84th minute when McGowan fired home from close range after another powerful burst down the left and substitute Darren Mansaram headed home a Turner cross with two minutes to go.

 

Dundalk: Cherrie; Shaun Kelly, Burns, Heary, Murphy (Simon Kelly 86); McKinlay, Turner, Daly, McGowan; Williams (Mulvenna 80), Rowe (Mansaram 73).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Bennion, McAreavey.

 

Galway United: Ryan, Sinnott, Conneely, Breen, O'Toole; Cook, Kelly (Greene 55), Russell, McBride (Molloy 81); Faherty, Murphy.

 

Substitutes Not Used: Hanley, Fitzgerald, Sangi.

 

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)