- Paul Corcoran
- Fri, Oct 20 2023
Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
Galway United were officially crowned First Division champions on Friday night when they were presented with the First Division trophy. They capped the night with a 2-0 win over Wexford.
Goals from Wassim Aouachria and Rob Slevin meant that the Tribesmen finished 25 points ahead of second place and with a perfect home record – that’s 18 home wins.
Wexford gave the First Division champions a guard of honour as the entire squad stepped onto the field for the final time this season.
A pre-match photo came before the game as the Tribesmen got ready to secure a perfect home record in 2023 to cap their First Division title and promotion back to the top flight of Irish football.
The home side were in on goal in the fourth minute when Colm Horgan and Aodh Dervin linked up on the right flank, the ball was slipped through to Vince Borden, but the midfielder’s shot was saved by Noel Heffernan.
Wassim Aouachria netted in the fifth minute, Dervin went on the attack again on the right wing before floating a cross to the unmarked striker. He fired the ball into the net with the left boot.
Two of United’s backline combined for a chance in the 17th minute when Killian Brouder nodded the ball across the box to Rob Slevin, the defender couldn’t get enough power behind the effort and Heffernan grabbed the ball to safety.
Aouachria was one on one with Heffernan in the 24th minute when the striker intercepted a wayward pass, the striker took the ball past the defender and raced toward goal, but his finish was lacking, and the goalkeeper deflected the ball away.
The Tribesmen doubled their lead in the 35th minute, Dervin with a second assist of the night. This time the midfielder struck the ball from a corner kick, the ball sailed to the back post where Slevin was waiting – the defender just about sneaking the ball inside the net with his head.
Just after the re-start the visitors got on the attacking front, some good link up play saw substitute James Crawford tee up Danny Furlong for a shot but the former Tribesman blazed his shot wide.
David Hurley and Aodh Dervin got chances of their own in the next few minutes with Francely Lomboto heading on goal shortly after coming off the bench, Heffernan denying the home side on each occasion.
Wexford came close to pulling a goal back in the 68th minute – substitute Ethan Boyle had a scorcher of a shot nick the crossbar and go over from 30 yards out.
United were still hungry for goals and Lomboto got in on goal again in the 87th minute after a lovely through ball from Stephen Walsh. The striker rattled the ball at goal but Heffernan made a good save from close range.
Galway United: Brendan Clarke(Alexander Rutter 86); Killian Brouder, Colm Horgan (Evan O'Connor 74), Maurice Nugent, Robert Slevin; Vincent Borden (Robert Manley 83), Aodh Dervin, David Hurley, Edward McCarthy (Steven Healy 74); Wassim Aouachria (Francely Lomboto 46), Stephen Walsh.
Subs not used: Regan Donelon, Oisín O'Reilly, Darren Clarke, David Tarmey.
Booked: Maurice Nugent (21), Stephen Walsh (57).
Wexford: Noel Heffernan; Hugh Douglas, Mark Hanratty, Benjamin Lynch, Brandon McCann (Robbie O'Toole 7); Aaron Doran (Darragh Levingston 46), Eoin Kenny, Conor Levingston (Ethan Boyle 62), Aaron Robinson (Mark Imiren 62); Karl Chambers (James Crawford 46), Danny Furlong.
Subs not used: William Gaul, Luka Lovic.
Booked: Aaron Robinson (3), Conor Levingston (16), Hugh Douglas (72).
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.
Attendance: 2,500(estimate)
extratime.com Player of the Match: Aodh Dervin (Galway United)
