SHELBOURNE 4 GALWAY UNITED 0
This turned into a demoralising evening at Tolka Park for Galway United, who were outfoxed by SSE Aitricity League first division table toppers Shelbourne.
Shelbourne had the graft and craft to manage the match in expert fashion.
It was a desperately disappointing opening period for United, who conceded two soft goals.
Michael O'Connor's smooth opportunism, though, was worthy of the utmost respect as the bustling Shelbourne attacker profited to punish defensive lapses.
O'Connor steered Ian Morris' charges ahead in the 26th minute as Shels hit the front.
United, with Ruairi Keating prominent on the right, were unfortunate not to level when Maurice Nugent went close.
As the interval approached, though, a deflected effort from O'Connor rattled the United net and the visitors' were in significant bother.
Ten minutes after the restart Yoyo Mahdy extended Shels continued to dictate the agenda.
Late on substitute Glen McAuley decorated Shels success with a fourth goal.
SHELBOURNE: Clarke; Wilson (Barker, 90 ), Byrne, Gilchrist, K O'Connor; Poynton, Lunney; Farrell (Nolan, 90 ), Brennan, Mahdy (Rooney, 90 ); M O'Connor.
GALWAY UNITED: Kearns; Boylan (C Horgan, 85 ), Nugent, Brouder, Ubaezuonu; McCormack; Duggan (Christopher, 85 ), Hurley; Keating, Cunningham, Place.
REFEREE: Eoghan O'Shea.
