Stephen Walsh heads double as Galway United pile pain on Dundalk

Stephen Walsh's second-half double gave Galway Utd’s European hopes a massive boost as they piled further pressure on relegation threatened Dundalk following an easy win at Oriel Park.

The veteran striker popped up with two headers following poor defending from the hosts to earn John Caulfield’s a first away win in five attempts.

That was enough to ensure they move level on points with Shamrock Rovers and Waterford FC, who sit just ahead of them on goal difference in third and fourth place respectively.

While the win - Galway’s third 2-0 victory over the Lilywhites this season - was a welcome boost for the men from the west, it piles further pressure on Jon Daly’s side, who are now just two points clear of neighbours Drogheda United following the Drogs' draw with Bohemians.

Having made a costly mistake in the Cup, on-loan goalkeeper Felix Goddard will come further under the spotlight following his display here but most concerning for the hosts was a fourth defeat of the campaign at Oriel.

If their home form desserts them then a side who eight years ago today claimed a memorable 3-0 European win over BATE Borisov will undoubtedly be facing a nervous closing 10 matches of the season.

The visitors started on top with long-range efforts from Jimmy Keohane and Vincent Bordon failing to find the target inside the opening five minutes.

Dundalk then grew into it with Ryan O’Kane going close twice in quick succession. Firstly, he toe poked agonisingly wide on 14 minutes after Jeannot Esua’s header clear had dropped to him eight yards out before curling a right foot shot from the left hand corner of the penalty area just over soon after.

The 20-year-old then turned provider, teeing Robbie Benson up for a shot that flashed just over on 23