Galway Utd 3 Bray Wanderers 0:WITH THE emphasis traditionally placed on youth by both clubs, Galway United's contests with Bray Wanderers are usually goal-laden affairs and this Terryland Park joust didn't disappoint.
Thirty-six previous meetings had never featured a scoreless draw, and the football flowed nicely during the opening period which belonged to the artistry of Jay O’Shea.
The former Republic of Ireland under-21 international, once of Bray, was dashing throughout and steered Galway ahead with a 23rd-minute goal that dripped with craft.
Séamus Conneely found O’Shea on the edge of the Bray area, and somehow the much coveted youngster deceived Bray custodian Chris O’Connor with a pretty right-footed strike.
Dane Massey and Paul Byrne might have nicked a leveller for Bray before Galway went further ahead in the 59th minute when Cian McBrien concluded a sweeping move with a splendid finish.
Buoyed by the dynamism they were showing, Galway embellished the success with a third in the 84th minute courtesy of substitute Jason Molloy.
GALWAY UNITED: Ryan; Conneely, Breen, Guthrie, Davoren; Cooke (Molloy, 75), McBrien, Russell (O’Toole, 64), McGrath; O’Shea; Faherty (Edwards, 59).
BRAY WANDERERS: O’Connor; Doyle, Webster, Foran (Tresson, 76), Massey; Kavanagh, Shields, Robson, McCabe; Byrne (Flood, 59), Mulroy (D O’Neill, 64).
Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).