Galway United 1 Waterford FC 0
It was an evening when character was required at Eamonn Deacy Park so this Galway United win mattered deeply.
Following a bitterly disappointing weekend that only yielded one point from two games United were under pressure to respond. That is precisely what happened.
From an early stage it was apparent that United were primed for a battle. Soundly beaten by Longford Town, United were ready, willing, and able to thunder into this contest.
Francely Lomboto and Stephen Walsh went close twice in the early stages before Waterford enjoyed some productive moments in the lead up to the interval.
United custodian Conor Kearns saved from Roland Idowu and Phoenix Patterson ensuring the teams departed deadlocked at the interval.
When the action recommenced United had opportunities, but Brian Murphy thwarted Walsh and Manu Dimas.
United, though, remained defiant and in the 57th minute Killian Brouder made a firm headed connection with David Hurley's inviting corner. United suddenly had a lead to protect.
Waterford launched a couple of long range attempts from Junior Quitirna and Tunwise Sobowale, but Kearns made the necessary saves. John Caulfield's spirited side prevailed.
Galway United: Kearns; O'Keeffe, Brouder (Portilla, 77 ), Lyons; McCarthy, McCormack, Hurley, Murphy; Dimas (Boylan, 66 ); Lomboto (Waweru, 83 ), Walsh.
Waterford FC: Murphy; Sobowale, Cantwell, Nolan, Taylor; Griffin, En Neyah (O'Keeffe, 66 ); Quitirna; Idowu, Kavanagh (Aris, 90 ), Patterson.
Referee: Paul Norton.
