Waterford FC 0 Galway United 1
This was a statement win for Galway United in a highly competitive SSE Airtricity League first division.
On a night when results elsewhere brought further joy, United left the RSC armed with the full complement of spoils.
United eventually prevailed at the end of a real battle courtesy of Manu Dimas' splendid opening period goal.
The well organised visitors, with Diego Portilla and Killian Brouder solid at the back, refused to be denied even when a staggering amount of stoppage time was played at the end of the match.
United’s industrious start was rewarded in the 13th minute as Alex Murphy’s sharp cross located Dimas, who supplied a crisp finish.
That moment of craft ensured United took the lead and when questions were posed by Waterford, Conor Kearns made saves to deny Shane Griffin and substitute Roland Idowu.
At the opposite end of the pitch Stephen Walsh performed with trademark defiance, and went close to adding to United’s advantage.
Still when the interval rolled around Caulfield’s charges were content to depart armed with an advantage.
After the restart Waterford had a couple of opportunities with a Kilian Cantwell effort hitting the bar with 10 minutes remaining.
United, though, with Conor McCormack prominent in the centre of the park, closed out the deal. Three points were added to the United account.
Waterford host Cork City on Monday. Next Friday United face Bray Wanderers at Eamonn Deacy Park, it will be another challenge to embrace.
Waterford FC: Murphy; Power, Cantwell, Joshua, Taylor; O’Keeffe, Griffin, En-Neyah (Britton, 57 ); Patterson, Kavanagh (Sobowale, 80 ), Quitirna (Idowu, 20 ).
Galway United: Kearns; O’Keeffe, Portilla, Brouder, Murphy; Rowe (McCarthy, 60 ), McCormack, Hurley (Hemmings, 90 ), Waweru (Lyons, 90 ); Dimas (Boylan, 78 ); Walsh.
Referee: Alan Patchell.
