Monaghan United finally ended a decade-long absence from the top flight as they completed an aggregate 5-1 demolition job on Galway United in Terryland Park.
The Tribesmen had dodged the relegation bullet twice in the past three seasons, winning at UCD in the last game of the season to avoid the drop in 2008, and beating Bray in a relegation play-off semi-final last year, but not even the presence of president-elect Michael D Higgins could inspire them to avoid the inevitable.
Roddy Collins’ side held a two-goal advantage from the first leg in Gortakeegan on Tuesday night, and they put the Airtricity Premier Division promotion / relegation tie beyond doubt with almost an hour of last night’s game still remaining, thanks to a double from Fabio O’Brien within the space of five minutes.
Ryan Brennan added a third early in the second half to start the promotion celebrations in earnest amongst the away fans as the Galway's wretched season ended as expected, in relegation.
Twice the visitors tested United ‘keeper Conor Winn in the first 10 minutes, before making the breakthrough in the 26th minute.
John Reilly was allowed far too much time on the ball wide on the right, and he measured his pass to perfection, threading the ball between Yob Son and Stephen Walsh for O’Brien to run on to, and he fired past Winn from 20 yards.
The visiting fans were still celebrating when O’Brien added a second five minutes later. Again the right side of the pitch proved fruitful for the visitors with Ryan Brennan skating past Walsh before finding O’Brien six yards out, and he made no mistake from close range.
The home side had to wait until the 51st minute for their first shot on target with Alan Murphy drawing a save from Gabriel Sava.
Monaghan broke immediately and Sean Brennan picked out brother Ryan who added Monaghan’s third of the night, and fifth of the tie.
The home side came close to a consolation in the 73rd minute when Walsh picked put substitute Darragh Duggan at the back post, but Sava pulled off a point-blank save.
Monaghan scored three, but could have doubled that tally as they were twice denied by the United woodwork, while Stephen Walsh also cleared off the line for the home side.
The home fans finally got something to cheer eight minutes from time when good work by Mikey Gilmore set-up Alan Murphy, and he made no mistake from the edge of the box, but his lack of celebration told its own story as United’s woeful season ended in relegation.
Galway United: Winn; Sinnott, Son, Gaughan, Walsh; Caldwell (Duggan 58), G Kelly, Browne (S Kelly 58), Gilmore; Murphy, Ryan (Gartlan 74).
Monaghan United: Sava; Whelan, Collins (P Byrne 57), A Byrne, Grimes; Reilly, Quinn, R Brennan (McDonagh 57), Keegan (D Byrne 57); O’Brien, S Brennan.
Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare).
