Goals from Vincent Borden and Ronan Manning made sure that Galway United beat First Division title rivals Cobh Ramblers 2-0 at St Colman's Park.
Just two points separate the two teams before the game, and Cobh went in knowing that a win would have put them top of the league.
It was an archetypal Galway performance, from a team that has scored 14 goals and conceded just two so far this season, that made sure they picked up their fifth win in a row.
They dominated possession, controlled the pace of the game, and pushed Cobh right back into their own half.
This ended up playing into the strengths of the Ramblers as Shane Keegan organised the team in such a way there was no direct route to goal for Galway.
This ended up forcing a number of shots from distance, and none of these caused much of a fuss. Then Galway tried to create something from a Manning free, and Cobh managed to stop Killian Brouder getting a touch at the back post.
A clear sense of frustration in the Galway forward line led to Ed McCarthty taking it on himself from the right flank and shot from the winger went narrowly wide at the Liam McMahon Stand.
Stephen Walsh tried to replicate this run seconds later and his attempt was put out for a throw in by Cian Browne.
It was a free-kick from Conor McCormack that undid Cobh, as the midfielder laid the ball into the ball of Broden and he fired the ball around the wall and in.
Cobh closed out the first half with a prolonged spell in possession inside the Galway half, but Jack Doherty had little support and the ball was easily picked from the feet of the winger.
He was finally able to try something after the break, and Brendan Clarke picked this up at the near post.
The goalkeeper was also in the right place to deal with the forward’s second shot, a side footed effort from inside the area.
Galway relieved the pressure with a quick break that led to Ibrahim Keita setting up Manning, and he finished neatly past Stacey.
Cobh kept trying to put something together in the final third, but there was very little room in an almost air tight Galway back-line. James O’Leary caused some problems, and all of these were swatted away without causing too much pressure.
Galway would have had a third if it wasn’t for an excellent interception by Browne inside the box to deny Francely Lomboto.
The Ramblers have very little time to dwell on this result as they are back in action on Monday in the semi-finals of the Munster Senior Cup against Treaty United.
Cobh Ramblers: Lee Stacey; Michael McCarthy, Cian Browne, Brendan Frahill, Charlie Lyons, Pierce Philips (Dale Holland 79), Jack Doherty, Lee Desmond (Callum Stringer 58), Issa Kargbo (Jake Hegarty 58), Tiernan O’Brien (James O’Leary 59), Jason Abbott.
Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Regan Donelon (Conor O’Keeffe 9), Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Stephen Walsh, Ibrahim Keita (David Hurley 66), Ronan Manning (Francely Lomboto 78), Vincent Broden (Maurice Nugent 81), Colm Horgan, Conor McCormack, Ed McCarthy (Darren Clarke 77).
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
Elsewhere in the First Division, Kerry FC's quest for their first League of Ireland win goes on after a 2-1 loss away to Wexford FC in Ferrycarrig Park.
Billy Dennehy's side were reeling after their 9-1 loss to the league leaders in Eamonn Deacy Park last weekend but they were much improved in the south-east.
Mark Hanratty gave the hosts the lead after three minutes and it remained at 1-0 until Brandon McCann doubled their lead with just over 10 remaining.
Leo Gaxha, who struck Kerry's historic first LOI goal in Bray, pulled one back to threaten a grandstand finish but the home side held out.
For James Keddy's team, it's a second successive home victory after their 3-0 demolition of Athlone Town last time out.
Athlone played out a 2-2 draw with Treaty United.
After a scorless first half, Treaty stormed into a 2-0 lead thanks to an Enda Curran brace in the 52nd and 69th minutes.
However the home team rallied late on, with Isaie Louis giving them a lifeline seven minutes from time and Noah van Geenen snatching a point in the 90th minute.
