Galway United 3 Limerick 2

Enda Curran scored twice as Galway United claimed a crucial win in their clash with Limerick at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Gary Shanahan added the other while Kevin Garcia scored an own-goal and former United star Vinny Faherty netted for Limerick.

Galway took the lead 25 minutes in when Jake Keegan was dragged down at a corner by Jason Hughes and Curran slotted the penalty.

The visitors drew level in the 40th minute but it came from a Galway player.

Padraic Cunningham missed two gilt-edged chances before Dean Clarke broke down the right and Garcia couldn’t avoid his cross.

The teams went in at 1-1 and Galway should have been more clinical before the hour – Cunningham and Curran unable to take advantage of a Conor O’Donnell fumble.

Limerick then had a flurry of chances with Ger Hanley and Stephen Walsh coming to Galway’s rescue.

Galway made them pay and Curran finally put them in front with a rocket from another corner in the 76th minute.

Shanahan added a third from another Ryan Connolly delivery but Faherty dragged one back for Limerick.

GALWAY UTD: Hanley; Horgan, Garcia, Walsh, Ludden; Shanahan, O'Leary, Connolly, Keegan; Curran, Cunningham (Byrne, 89 mins).

LIMERICK: O'Donnell; Harding, Whitehead, Price, Williams; Turner, Hughes (Faherty, 46 mins), Tracy (Duggan, 67 mins), Russell; O'Conor; Clarke.

Referee: R Matthews (Westmeath)