Galway United 3 Cobh Ramblers 0
Stephen Walsh's brace, Rob Manley's debut goal, and Alex Murphy's last Galway United appearance were all talking points as John Caulfield's charges chalked up a vital SSE Airtricity League first division win.
With a trip to Turners Cross imminent for a clash against Cork City this match carried real significance for United, who shrugged off Cobh Ramblers' spirited resistance.
Shane Keegan's visitors' were gutsy throughout, but United adequately dealt with the Cobh challenge.
Walsh headed United ahead in the 30th minute connecting with Ed McCarthy's cross.
Cobh spurned opportunities before the break with Seán McGrath, James O'Leary, and Conor Drinan going close, but United dominated after the restart.
Murphy drilled over a splendid 67th minute cross for substitute Manley to head a second.
Then with eight minutes remaining Murphy released Manley, who extracted a decent save from Darragh Burke before Walsh pounced to seal the deal.
Murphy left moments later to a standing ovation. The gifted Annaghdown youngster joins Newcastle United on Sunday.
Galway United: Kearns; O'Keeffe, Finnerty, Lyons; McCarthy, McCormack (Boylan, 85 ), Hurley (Rowe, 85 ), Murphy (Russell, 85 ); Dimas (Hemmings, HT ); Lomboto (Manley, 57 ), Walsh.
Cobh Ramblers: Burke; Fleming, Mbayo, Frahill, O'Sullivan-Connell; O'Connell (O'Brien-Whitmarsh, 68 ), Abbott (Holland, 85 ), O'Leary (Kavanagh, 80 ), McGrath (O'Brien-McAllister, 85 ), Drinan (Desmond, 68 ); Hegarty.
Referee: Eoghan O'Shea.
