Second-half headers from Stephen Rice and Dan Murray proved to be enough for the Hoops to pick up their third home win of the season.

 

Galway had welcomed Bobby Ryan and Anthony Flood into their starting eleven, while Rovers selected a new-look midfield with Paddy Kavanagh operating out wide on the right.

 

Kavanagh was the creator of the best chances for the home side in the first period as he zipped past his marker with ease and delivered devastating balls into the opposition penalty area.

 

The first cross that he supplied picked out defender Craig Sives at the back post, but the Scottish centre-back headed wide when he should have hit the target.

 

Then Gary Twigg got on the end of a Kavanagh cross at the edge of the box, took his time to control it and then blasted over with the entire goal to shoot at.

 

Galway had few chances on goal with Flood dragging a shot well wide and Ryan shooting straight at Rovers keeper Alan Mannus.

 

Just four minutes after the interval the home team took the lead when a corner from Billy Dennehy was met by the head of Rice who powered his effort into the back of the net.

 

The Tribesmen did have some chances on goal themselves with Gary Curran and Cian McBrien both coming close, but the duo were off-target with their efforts.

 

Those chances meant a lot more as the visitors conceded a second goal on 69 minutes when Murray sneaked in at the back post to head in a Dennehy corner.

 

Flood had the perfect opportunity to pull a goal back on 88 minutes when the away team were awarded a penalty, but the former Shelbourne striker crashed his spot-kick against the crossbar.

 

Rovers did enough to take the three points and fully deserved to add another win to their collection.

 

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Flynn, Murray, Sives, Murphy; Kavanagh, Rice, Bayly (Bradley 67), Dennehy (O'Connor 79); Twigg, Stewart (Baker 71).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Duggan, Stevens.

 

Galway United: Barry Ryan; Heary (King 74), Sinnott, McKenzie, Meynell; Bobby Ryan, Curran, McBrien, Creaney (Foley 50); Flood, Sheppard (Keane 82).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Conneely, O'Donnell.

 

Referee: N Doyle (Dublin)