First Division round-up: Champions Galway United ease past Athlone Town as Bray Wanderers end long wait for home league win

Rob Manley scored twice for Galway United against Athlone Town

Rob Manley scored twice for Galway United against Athlone Town Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

First Division winners Galway United prepared for next weekend’s FAI Cup semi-final against Bohemians with a commanding 6-0 win over Athlone Town.

The Tribesmen have been the runaway leaders in the second tier this season.

And despite winning the title last weekend away to Kerry, they showed little sign of losing their focus ahead of next weekend’s cup semi against Bohs.

John Caulfield’s side even raced into a 3-0 lead after 11 minutes thanks to goals from Darren Clarke, Stephen Walsh and Rob Manley.

Athlone were unable to recover from that triple blow – and they coughed up three more goals during the second period.

Manley and Clarke grabbed an extra goal each after Vincent Borden made it 4-0 with 47 minutes on the clock.

Athlone’s heavy defeat leaves them in a precarious position with Longford Town, Bray Wanderers and Treaty United all in with a slim shout of catching them.

They still have to played Longford and Bray over the coming weeks.

Elsewhere, Bray Wanderers won their first home league game since June with a 2-1 victory over Cobh Ramblers.



The Rams have already sealed their play-off place but they were undone by Ian Ryan’s side.

Chris Lyons and Conor Knight both scored for the Seagulls to give them a 2-0 lead at the half-time break.

And they never looked back despite a late Justin Eguaibor strike halving the deficit in injury time.

Meanwhile, Finn Harps ran out 2-1 winners at home to Kerry.

The Kingdom took a 48th minute lead through striker Ryan Kelliher but they were unable to hold out against Darren Murphy’s side in Ballybofey.



BJ Banda levelled matters in the 52nd minute while Noe Baba scored what proved to be the winner just past the hour mark.

Kerry although did have a penalty from Leo Gaxha saved by Antonio Tuta in the Co Donegal’s side goal.

And at the RSC, Wexford moved a point closer to securing their top-five status with a scoreless draw against Waterford.

Wexford need just two more points to officially confirm their play-off berth, although they may have it sealed on Saturday if Longford Town and Treaty United draw at Bishopsgate.

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