Borden and Manning hand title-chasing Galway crucial win in Cobh

Goals from Vincent Borden and Ronan Manning made sure that Galway United beat First Division title rivals Cobh Ramblers 2-0 at St Colman's Park.

Just two points separate the two teams before the game, and Cobh went in knowing that a win would have put them top of the league.

It was an archetypal Galway performance, from a team that has scored 14 goals and conceded just two so far this season, that made sure they picked up their fifth win in a row.

They dominated possession, controlled the pace of the game, and pushed Cobh right back into their own half.

This ended up playing into the strengths of the Ramblers as Shane Keegan organised the team in such a way there was no direct route to goal for Galway.

This ended up forcing a number of shots from distance, and none of these caused much of a fuss. Then Galway tried to create something from a Manning free, and Cobh managed to stop Killian Brouder getting a touch at the back post.

A clear sense of frustration in the Galway forward line led to Ed McCarthty taking it on himself from the right flank and shot from the winger went narrowly wide at the Liam McMahon Stand.

Stephen Walsh tried to replicate this run seconds later and his attempt was put out for a throw in by Cian Browne.

It was a free-kick from Conor McCormack that undid Cobh, as the midfielder laid the ball into the ball of Broden and he fired the ball around the wall and in.

Cobh closed out the first half with a prolonged spell in possession inside the Galway half, but Jack Doherty had little support and the ball was easily picked from the feet of the winger.

He was finally able to try something after the break, and Brendan Clarke picked this up at the near post.

The goalkeeper was also in the right place to deal with the