Shelbourne were worthy winners at Tolka Park coming out with a comfortable 4-0 win, in a game which saw great fight, determination and spirit from both sides.

Plenty of yellow cards were produced, but eventually it was Shels quality in both defence and attack, which was too much for Galway, who now face a long trip West, after a difficult away tie.

The game started out brightly with both sides on the front foot with the hosts creating plenty down their right-hand side. 

It was a Galway error that led to the first goal, with a miscommunication from a short free kick leaving Michael O'Connor with the ball bearing down on goal and he coolly slotted it away from outside the box. 

Galway fought back with chances of their own with Nugent and Cunningham both missing good opportunities. 

It was from that right-hand side that Shelbourne would strike. The ball found O’Connor whose effort from inside the box deflected off Ryan Brennan, beating Kearns in the Galway net putting Shels 2-0 upon the stroke of half time.

Shelbourne were by far the better team in the first half and that trend continued on the restart.

Farrell was booked early in the second half for Shelbourne, but it was Galway who picked up the majority of the bookings. Galway had five yellow cards in the game four of which came in the latter stages of the second half.  

Shelbournes Yousef Mahdy scored with a lovely finish into the bottom corner as once again there was good play from the wings in finding him in the box to slot home.

Galway United created chances throughout the game, their efforts mostly being pushed and hurried by the Shelbourne defence. Galway United lacked the clinical edge that the Shels had on the night. 

Glen McAuley can be delighted to have scored with practically his first touch as Shels countered excellently from their own half, with Wilson generously squaring it to Glen for an open net. The goal ended any hopes of a Galway revival

Shelbourne can go home happy with their performance from back to front they showed why they deserve to be top of the league after ten games.

Galway on the other hand can take positives from their performance on another night they may have scored two or three goals, but it wasn't to be.  There is plenty work to do from Galway's end, but they played their part in what was a fascinating encounter.