NEWLY re-crowned Airtricity League champions Shamrock Rovers put on a comprehensive display against Galway United before lifting the title for the 17th time. 

 

Michael O'Neill's side were comfortable winners against struggling Galway United in a one-sided affair at Tallaght Stadium.

Although they came into the game with just one win to their name all season, Galway started the game with enthusiasm and were unlucky not to score in the first minute when Bobby Ryan had a clever attempt parried by Ryan Thompson.

The Hoops did not take long to impact and Dean Kelly was unlucky not to open the scoring in the 13th minute when he ran onto a quickly taken Karl Sheppard free-kick and his dink over keeper Conor Winn hit the Galway upright.

Nine minutes later Billy Dennehy had a shot well stopped by Winn after a good cross-field ball from Rohan Ricketts.

Rovers opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a stunner. Chris Turner volleyed home spectacularly after Galway failed to clear a left wing cross.

Six minutes later the home side went further ahead. Dennehy's left wing free-kick was aimed for the head of Turner but the midfielder failed to connect and the ball drifted straight into the net.

Ricketts might have added a third in the 45th minute but Winn got down well to push his spectacular volley around his right post.

Dean Kelly was very unlucky not to make it 3-0 on the hour when he rounded Winn and then fired in a low strike from a tight angle that smacked off the base of United's left upright. Sheppard was booked for simulation after hitting the ground trying to latch onto the rebound.

Sheppard was taken down in the 65th to win a penalty for the Hoops as young defender Rory Gartlan saw red for the last man trip. Sheppard fired home from the spot-kick.

Dennehy had a free-kick saved by Winn before Sheppard had a strike blocked by a defender in the 76th minute that looped over Winn but landed on the roof of the net.

Substitute Ronan Finn made it 4-0 when he cleverly fired home after latching onto a long ball. It was the 100th league goal scored at Tallaght Stadium since the Hoops moved there two years ago.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Thompson; Sullivan, Paterson, Murray (Finn 46), Oman, McCormack, Dennehy, Turner Ricketts (Rice 64), D Kelly (O'Neill 60).

GALWAY UNITED: Winn; Gartlan, Sinnott, Son, Gaughan, Gu Kim, Murphy, G Kelly (Walsh 67), Ryan, Gilmore (Sibanda 75), Cauldwell (Duggan 80).

REFEREE: A Buttimer (Cork).