COBH RAMBLERS 0 GALWAY UNITED 4
As a particularly exciting SSE Airtricity League first division continues to unfold, Galway United travelled south fully aware of the significance of this Saturday evening encounter.
So the fact that John Caulfield's team left St Colman's Park armed with the full complement of spoils was satisfactory.
Cobh were typically gutsy, but two Ruairi Keating strikes, a John Kavanagh own goal, and a last gasp effort from lively substitute Padraic Cunningham ensured United carved out a crucial win.
United hit the front in the 19th minute courtesy of a Keating penalty.
Keating's initial header was handled on the line by Cobh defender Charlie Lyons, who was subsequently red carded.
From the resultant spot-kick Keating netted to ensure United's lively start was rewarded.
In the 70th Cunningham was fouled in the area by Nathan Coleman.
Again Keating stepped up confidently rattling the Cobh net to fend off Cobh's spirited resistance.
A third arrived on 79 when Cunningham's cross was deflected into his own net by Cobh skipper Kavanagh.
Another United substitute Mikie Rowe was fouled in the area late on with Cunningham decorating the victory converting United's third penalty.
GALWAY UNITED: Kearns; Boylan, McCormack, Brouder; C Horgan, Duggan (Christopher, 81 ), Hurley, Walsh (Ubaezuonu, 85 ); Waweru (Rowe, 46 ), Keating (Kelly, 85 ), Place (Cunningham, 69 ).
