Two goals from leading scorer Gary Twigg and a strike from Craig Sives saw Shamrock Rovers open up a valuable six-point lead at the top of the Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division table.
Fresh from their six-goal demolition of the same opponents in the FAI Cup seven days ago, Rovers played with an understandable confidence and after Neale Fenn had gone close on four minutes, the deadlock was finally broken six minutes later at Tallaght Stadium.
It followed an intricate passing move involving James Chambers and Fenn, with the latter’s cross despatched at the far post by the onrushing Twigg for his 15th league goal of another productive campaign for the prolific Scotsman.
The procession towards the visitors’ goal continued and it was little surprise that the league leaders doubled their advantage on 26 minutes with a goal of high quality, which benefitted from a shrewd piece of refereeing from Tomás Connolly.
Despite Thomas Stewart being fouled by Philip Reilly, Connolly allowed an advantage with Twigg in possession and his pass to Chambers was returned to Twigg via a sublime cushioned pass by Fenn and his volleyed finish past Darragh Geraghty from eight yards was a fitting conclusion to a wonderful team move.
Number three wasn’t long in arriving as Craig Sives rose highest in United’s penalty area to plant a powerful header past a badly exposed Geraghty following Stephen Bradley’s 32nd minute outswinging corner.
There was very little threat at the other end, with the visitors far too reliant on Karl Sheppard to provide attacking inspiration.
The Galway star managed to spurn their only genuine chance spurned on 51 minutes as he headed too close to Alan Mannus following Derek O’Brien’s pinpoint cross.
There was little else of note for the remainder of the match, with Rovers content to hold on to their lead without extending themselves unduly as they strolled to a precious three points to further enhance their impressive title credentials.
Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Murphy, Stevens, Price, Sives; Chambers (Rice, 53), Bradley (Bayly, 79), Turner, Stewart; Twigg, Fenn (Baker, 60).
Galway United: Geraghty; Sinnott, Meynell, Reilly (King, 25), McKenzie; Molloy (Keogh, 68), Curran, Conneely, O’Brien; Walsh, K Sheppard (D Sheppard, 84).
Referee: T Connolly (Dublin)
