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Eight points separated the two sides heading into the tie, but the nervous energy was palpable before kick-off, with both camps knowing that a loss could have proven disastrous for their respective seasons. Galway were without a league win since June, with eight defeats and three draws since beating St Patrick’s Athletic in Terryland over the summer. Cork City have threatened to hit form at various points this season and secured crucial victories against Galway and Waterford in August to give their fans hope of an unlikely escape. John Caulfield made two changes to the side that fell to defeat against Sligo Rovers on Monday, with Evan Watts replacing Brendan Clarke in goal and Walsh coming in for Edward McCarthy to make his 368th appearance in maroon – a record he shares with Kevin Cassidy. Sean Murray missed out through injury for City, while Kitt Nelson and Benny Couto dropped to the bench for Josh Fitzpatrick and Fiacre Kelleher, with Ger Nash searching for a response to Monday’s heavy defeat to St Pat’s. It was ultimately John Caulfield’s changes that paid dividends as two Walsh goals had United ahead at the break. The United striker gladly stroked home into an empty net to put the hosts ahead after 19 minutes, following a Jimmy Keohane free-kick that left City goalkeeper Conor Brann stranded. Cork replied through Alex Nolan 11 minutes later, whose brilliant effort from distance left Evan Watts with no chance. Walsh put United in front once again on the stroke of half-time to make Caulfield’s half-time team-talk significantly easier. The Galway striker found the bottom corner with a pinpoint glancing header following a Dara McGuinness cross from the right. The game opened up in the second half as both sides looked to find vital goals for their respective battles. Galway threatened through Patrick Hickey, McGuinness and Walsh. At the other end, the hosts were reliant on some excellent defensive work to deny the constant threat of Sean Maguire and Fitzpatrick. City briefly thought they had an equaliser on 84 minutes as Maguire coolly finished a Nolan cross before being chalked offside but the hosts managed to hold on for a vital three points. Galway United: E Watts, J Esua, G Buckley, R Slevin, K Brouder, B Burns; J Keohane, A Bolger (E McCarthy 66), P Hickey; D McGuinness (J Sivi 87), S Walsh (C Horgan 93). Cork City: C Brann; D Crowley, F Anderson, R Feely, F Kelleher (B Couto 64); A Nolan, J Fitzpatrick (B Lee 86), K Kamara (K Nelson 53), M Kiernan (C Lyons 86); E McLaughlin; S Maguire. Referee: Rob Hennessy
