Galway United Women have third place wrapped up going into their final game of the season against DLR Waves this Saturday.
Phil Trill's side cemented back-to-back third place finishes after a commanding 3-0 victory against Waterford at Eamonn Deacy Park last weekend. Two goals from top scorer Emma Doherty and a fine finish from Amanda Smith sealed the win.
The first half was tightly contested up until a flurry of United corners before the interval caused consternation in the Waterford penalty area. Some last-ditch defending and the woodwork came to Waterford's rescue to leave the scoreline at 0-0 going into half-time.
United's pressure persisted after the interval. After neat United interplay, a probing lofted pass from Aoife Madden resulted in a defensive lapse from the Waterford backline. Doherty took advantage of goalkeeper Maeve Williams being out of position to slot home into an empty net. The Tribeswomen cemented their dominance from there and Doherty would have been disappointed not to double her tally minutes later.
She would make amends in the 78th minute with a delightful finish to double United's lead. Superb wingplay from captain Therese Kinnevey saw her breeze past the Waterford defender before faking inside and delivering a pin-point cross onto the toe of Doherty. The 21-year-old striker has been a revelation for Trill's side this year.
Kinnevey turned playmaker again, as she slipped through Smith who put the icing on the cake as she fired past Williams into the bottom left corner. That goal sealed their 3-0 victory and capped off their home campaign in style.
United go into this season's curtain closer without the pressure of needing victory. But the incentive will be to lay a marker for next season. United were 5-1 winners in the return fixture at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Speaking post-match Trill said that the next step for his side is "continuing to climb that table year-on-year".
That has to be focus for Galway United Women going into the 2026 campaign.
