After a staggering famine of nearly 27 years without a trophy, Galway United are belatedly back in the top tier of Irish football.
Having fallen short three years in a row since John Caulfield took over, the County Roscommon native guided United to promotion in a common canter, the inevitable finally confirmed in the unlikely surroundings of the Kingdom.
A Wassim Aouachria goal on 31 minutes put United in front before a David Hurley penalty on 73 minutes, a Francely Lomboto goal five minutes from time and another at the death from Hurley had the large travelling support in party mode.
Having hammered Dundalk a week ago to reach the last four of the FAI Cup, United can now enjoy their triumph before refocussing ahead of the visit of Bohemians.
In a packed media area watching the game was Derek 'Buck' Rogers, working for local radio, a Dubliner who joined Galway United and never left the city. He was among the men in maroon who shocked Cork City and won the League Cup on New Year’s Day in 1997, nearing the end of his days with the club. United have won nothing since, went out of business and endured years in wilderness.
Ollie Horgan's addition to Caulfield's staff seems to have been a major asset – he left relegated Finn Harps in the off-season to join his hometown club – but the money of the Comer Brothers, the Glenamaddy billionaires who've backed United in recent seasons, created the platform. Caulfield was given time and now he too is back at the top level and hungry for more.
With a mean defence and a constant supply of goals, United – who were second-favourites behind Waterford – have demolished the opposition. They welcome Bray Monday, when the party can continue at Eamonn Deacy Park. The home of football in Connacht's biggest city has not seen a senior trophy in over a quarter of a century.
Kerry have just one win to their fledgling name in the league but they have been a welcome addition. Whilst the home crowds have fallen off a little of late, the team has clearly improved, and hidings are now infrequent. They were far from overawed here. Galway hammered Kerry 9-1 back in March; that seems a long time ago.
Killian Brouder hooked over on five minutes from a Conor McCormack delivery but United struggled to create much in the first half hour. Ed McCarthy has been a revelation for United this season and he exposed Kerry midway through the half but pulled his shot wide.
Lee Axworthy-Duggan then made a mess of a clearance under minimal pressure but Darren Clarke was brilliantly denied by Ethan Kos.
However, United were ahead from the corner, probable player of the season Hurley’s enticing delivery glanced home by Aouchria, a French native of Algerian descent who joined Galway from Waterford in July. The big man could be a major problem for Bohemians in the physical stakes in next month’s FAI Cup semi-final at Terryland.
FIRST DIVISION TABLE
Brendan Clarke has possibly been United’s biggest signing of them all and he got down well to deny the lively Sean Kennedy as half-time neared.
Remarkably, Leo Gaxha, the Kerry captain, should have levelled matters in injury time after pouncing on a weak Brouder header, but Clarke, 38, smothered his effort.
Just as half-time approached, main sponsor Luke Comer trained a winner at Dundalk – it was that sort of night for the Tribesmen; just after the restart substitute Lomboto forced Axworthy-Duggan into a save. And the Kerry keeper excelled himself on 55 minutes, denying Stephen Walsh what looked a certain goal with a dramatic intervention.
But Kerry were creating more chances than Dundalk did a week ago, Sean O'Connell sneaking in at the back post; again Clarke made a vital save.
Walsh, winning his first trophy after years of toiling for United, tried again midway through the half but Axworthy-Duggan was alive to the danger.
United's second sealed the deal. The product of by far their best move of the game, Lomboto was bundled over by Sam Aladesanusi, and Hurley convered – the 15th penalty United have converted from 18 attempts this season, what must be a record many times over.
Lomboto, a product of the United academy, tapped home with five minutes left. For United, it was time to celebrate, and Hurley even had time to notch another. A midfielder, he could yet finish top scorer in the First Division this season.
Kerry FC: Duggan; Kennedy (Gleeson 46), Williams, Aladesaunusi, Kos; McGrath (Okwute 66), Teahannn, O’Connell, Coughlan (Brosnan 80); Kelliher (Amechi 80), Gaxha.
Galway United: Clarke; McCormack (O'Keeffe 80), Brouder, Nugent, Slevin (Donelon 46); Clarke (Lomboto 35), Borden, Hurley, McCarthy; Aouachria, Walsh (Manley 80).
Referee: Alan Patchell (Dublin).
Elsewhere, Cobh Ramblers strengthened their hold on third spot with a 5-1 hammering of Finn Harps at St Colman's Park, a brace apiece from Mikie Rowe and Jack Doherty and another from Matthew McKevitt powering the southerners to victory.
Patrick Ferry had put Dave Rogers' side in front early and it was still 1-1 at the break but Doherty's lead goal on 54 minutes, combined with Sean O'Donnell's sending off on the hour mark doomed them to another loss.
Longford Town may have been the only team to defeat the 2023 champions in the league but the Midlanders were unable to repeat the trick at home to Waterford FC.
Keith Long's side had long ago abandoned hope of catching Galway but they're bound for the first play-off spot, Ryan Burke putting them in front early.
Bastien Hery was sent off for the hosts early in the second half on a second yellow card and goals from Ronan Coughlan and Christie Pattison rounded off a 3-0 win.
Wexford FC's stranglehold on fifth spot was copper-fastened with a 2-1 win over Bray Wanderers at Ferrycarrig Park.
Thomas Oluwa's lead goal was cancelled out midway through the second half by Cole Omorehiomwan. However, Cian O'Malley struck 10 minutes from time to give the home side a crucial three points.
Despite taking the lead early, Athlone Town slumped to a 4-1 loss to Treaty United in Markets Field.
Patrick Hickey put the visitors in front after 11 minutes but in the 20th minute Jack Kavanagh was red carded for handling on the line and Mark Ludden converted from the penalty spot.
Success Edogun finally put the hosts in front on the hour mark and Stephen Christopher grabbed a brace late on to put the gloss on the win.
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