Galway 3-0 UCD (Agg 5-1)
Galway have returned to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division after beating UCD in the promotion-relegation play-off at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Gary Shanahan opened the scoring for the home side on the stroke of half-time, before Ryan Manning added a second in the 71st minute.
Alex Byrne grabbed the third with ten minutes remaining to seal the victory as the 3,000-strong home support kicked off the promotion party.
WE ARE GOING UP!
— Galway F.C. (@Galway_FC) October 31, 2014UCD arrived with intentions of turning around the first leg 2-1 deficit as manager Aaron Callaghan opted for two strikers with Robbie Creevy and Robbie Benson returning to bolster the Students' midfield.
Galway, though, were sharp from the outset manufacturing a seventh-minute opportunity when Shanahan's cross fell for Manning.
The Republic of Ireland Under-19 international unleashed a shot which was diverted out for a corner by College right back Gareth Matthews.
UCD spurned a chance in the 24th minute when the energetic Samir Belhout drilled an attempt over from just outside the area.
Shanahan was enterprising for Galway on the right and the Newcastlewest native forced UCD keeper Conor O'Donnell to make a 26th-minute save.
On the stroke of half-time Galway hit the front when Shanahan reacted smartly in the area, poking the Tribesmen ahead with an opportunistic finish.
Three minutes after the restart Manning tested O'Donnell's reflexes again as Galway wanted to quash the Students' dwindling hopes of mounting a revival.
In the 72nd minute Galway netted their second as Manning tucked home the rebound following an O'Donnell save from Jake Keegan's effort.
Despite a tactical change from UCD with Hugh Douglas switched to attack, Galway were utterly in control as Byrne slammed a third in the 81st minute to ensure that there will be top flight football in the city in 2015.
UCD bow out of the Premier Division and will play in the First Division next season.
Full Time: Galway FC 3 - 0 UCD AFC Congratulations to Galway on their promotion and best of luck next season
— UCD AFC (@UCDAFC) October 31, 2014Galway: Connor Gleeson; Colm Horgan, Paddy Barrett, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden; Paul Sinnott, Alex Byrne (Enda Curran, 84); Gary Shanahan, Ryan Connolly, Ryan Manning (Jason Molloy, 87); Jake Keegan (Vinny Faherty, 84).
Subs not used: Ger Hanley, Martin Conneely, Padraic Cunningham, Robbie Egan.
UCD: Conor O’Donnell; Gareth Matthews, Hugh Douglas, Ian Ryan, Mark Langtry; Chris Mulhall (James Kavanagh, 79), Robbie Creevy, Robbie Benson, Timmy Molloy; Samir Belhout, Conor Cannon (Gary Burke, 49).
Subs not used: Niall Corbett, Daniel Tobin, Tomas Boyle, Gregory Sloggett, Colm Crowe.
Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
