Airtricity League First Division
Kerry FC 0 Galway United 4
Galway United are First Division champions and will return to the top flight for the first time since 2017. Galway just needed a point to secure the title and having found difficulty in breaching the Kerry FC defence early on they came good in the second half.
Kerry FC survived a first quarter battering to keep Galway United at bay with Edward McCarthy going closest for the champions-elect in the 20th minute when he whipped a shot inches wide from just inside the box. Kerry FC were defending well with Ethan Kos again outstanding but a defensive error eventually saw Galway United make the breakthrough.
In the 28th minute, Kevin Williams played the ball back to keeper Lee Axworthy who scuffed his clearance. Edward McCarthy ran onto the ball but Ethan Kos saved the day with a last ditch tackle. But David Hurley’s resultant in-swinging corner was powerfully headed home by Wassim Aouachria to give Galway United a 1-0 lead.
To Kerry FC’s credit they continued to battle and went close to getting an equaliser in the 40th minute when Leo Gaxha played in Sean McGrath whose shot was saved by keeper Brendan Clarke with the help of the post.
While Galway United had the lion’s share of possession, the Kerry FC back five defended stoutly and in first half injury time Gaxha was denied by keeper Clarke as he tried to head the ball over the advancing keeper.
Galway United just needed a point but went in search of goals in the second half and Axworthy had to make a fine save to deny Lomboto who carved open the Kerry FC defence in the 50th minute.
Ten minutes later Axworthy made a wonder save to keep a Stephen Walsh header out after great work by Hurley. Kerry FC nearly
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