Walsh seals hat-trick late on to drive Galway ever-closer to title

Bray Wanderers 1 Galway United 4 

Two injury-time goals by Stephen Walsh saw Galway edge closer to the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division title.

The striker bagged a treble at the Carlisle Grounds as United won 4-1 in a game that Bray - despite the scoreline - deserved something from.

With the tie balanced at 2-1, Walsh made it 3-1 in the 93rd minute before claiming his third seconds later.

Earlier, livewire away substitute Francely Lomboto won the 66th penalty after being fouled by Cole Omorehiomwan with David Hurley making no mistake from the 12-yard dead ball.

With Waterford defeating Finn Harps in Ballyfoley, United now need just four more points from their remaining six matches to become champions.

Wanderers were up in the arms on 79 when sub Chris Lyons appeared to be brought down by the on-rushing Brendan Clarke. But referee Paul Norton waved play.

The Wicklow outfit made one change to their line-up after beating Kerry last week with Dane Massey coming back in to captain the side.

After losing to Longford last week, the Tribesmen made three changes and brought in Maurice Nugent, Darren Clarke, and Stephen Walsh.

A tight first period came to life in the 33rd minute.

A long through was cleared to the waiting Hurley 22-yards. His attempt hit the post and Walsh reacted to plant his 11th League goal of the campaign.

But the Seagulls were back on level terms in the 40th minute.

Harry Groome picked up a loose ball outside the penalty. He skipped past a couple of tackles into the box and created space to bend in a 15-yard effort that Brendan Clarke got his fingertips on its way to the net.

The visitors went close to going back in front on the hour mark. But Vincent Borden’s header came back off the top of the crossbar