Jimmy Keohane scored two penalties as Galway United defeated Sligo Rovers 3-1 in the Connacht derby at the Showgrounds. The win lifted Galway United into sixth place in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Stephen Walsh opened the scoring for Galway United in the 39th minute after a cross from Kris Twardek, before Cian Kavanagh gave Sligo Rovers an early lead in the eighth minute. Keohane then converted two spot-kicks, the first in the 18th minute after Kris Twardek was fouled by James McManus, and the second in the 86th minute after Liam Hughes tripped Dylan Connolly.
Darren Purse made six changes to the Sligo Rovers lineup, with Liam Hughes, Aidan Gabbidon, and Reuben Gillespie making their first starts. Jack Shorrock hit the post for Sligo Rovers in the second half.
Galway United started with H Cunha, J Facchineri, A O’Connor, W Williams, C Barratt, A Bolger, D Hurley, L Devitt, J Keohane, K Twardek, and S Walsh. Substitutions saw F Pierrot replace C Barratt at 51', J Thiam replace D Hurley at 92', D Connolly replace K Twardek at 76', and F Lomoboto replace S Walsh at 51'. Referee R Harvey oversaw the match.
Purse said: "Purse used this as an opportunity for those players to stake their claim in the team, regardless of what division they will be in next year." Keohane added: "Keohane again stepped up and made no mistake, to make sure of all three points."
Galway United sit seventh in the Premier Division on 34 points from 29 games, with a recent form of LDWDD. The team has scored 38 goals this season and conceded 45, leaving them 22 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers. Their next fixture is an away trip to Derry City on 2026-09-18, who currently sit fifth in the table.
The victory marked Galway United’s second win in three games, following a 2-3 loss to Bohemians and a 1-2 win over Drogheda United. Keohane’s penalties were his first goals of the season, taking his tally to two.
Galway United will look to build on this result as they prepare to face Derry City, with the squad aiming to push further up the table before the season’s conclusion.
The report in full is at Irish Independent
