AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY-OFF Galway United 1 Monaghan United 3A MISERABLE season for Galway United ended in relegation last night as Monaghan United ended their 10 year absence from the top flight in emphatic fashion at Terryland Park.

Monaghan started the brighter and, bar a brief purple patch for the home side, completely dominated the first half.

They twice tested Galway goalkeeper Conor Winn in the opening 10 minutes, and the only thing the home fans had to cheer in the opening 45 minutes was when president-elect Michael D Higgins took his seat in the stand.

The man who will become the ninth President of Ireland has been club president of United for the past five years, but he won’t have enjoyed his regular trip to Terryland Park last night, with Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien all but settling the tie with two goals in a five-minute spell in the first half.

The first arrived in the 26th minute when John Reilly’s ball split the United defence, and O’Brien ran on unchecked to fire past Winn from 20 yards. The visiting fans were still celebrating when he added a second five minutes later, firing home Ryan Brennan’s cross from close range.

United had to wait until the 51st minute for their first effort on target, Alan Murphy forcing a save from Gabriel Sava, but the visitors immediately broke downfield where Seán Brennan picked out his brother Ryan to fire past Winn.

The home side had the final say, Alan Murphy grabbing a consolation in the 82nd minute, but it couldn’t take away from Monaghan’s celebrations.

Galway United: Winn; Sinnott, Son, Gaughan, Walsh; Caldwell (Duggan 58 mins), G Kelly, Browne (S Kelly 58 mins), Gilmore; Murphy, Ryan (Gartlan 74 mins).

MONAGHAN UNITED:Sava; Whelan, Collins (P Byrne 57 mins), A Byrne, Grimes; Reilly, Quinn, R Brennan (McDonagh 57 mins), Keegan (D Byrne 57 mins); O'Brien, S Brennan.

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).