Galway controlled long spells of the contest and Rovers needed Alan Mannus to make several fine saves either side of the interval.

But the Hoops hit the front on 62 when Gary Twigg headed home a deep Enda Stevens cross to secure a satisfying success.

The opening quarter hour provided plenty of encouragement for the locals who thundered into the contest against the high flying Hoops. Within three minutes a Gary Curran set piece had caused Rovers some bother as Stephen Rice eventually headed the danger away.

Then in the 15th minute Derek O'Brien skipped in from the left, but his powerful shot lacked the necessary precision to examine the Dubliners' custodian Alan Mannus.

Rovers eventually went close in the 21st minute when Robbie Bayly's effort from distance went just over the bar. Just after the half hour mark Craig Sives' right wing cross found skipper Dan Murray, but Galway goalkeeper Barry Ryan saved.

The Tribesmen then went close on 34 as Alan Mannus was forced to get down low to deny Derek O'Brien as Sean Connor's team remained competitive.

It was an encouraging opening period for Galway and an O'Donnell corner needed a clever intervention from Murray to keep the Hoops on terms in the 39th minute.

After the break Galway continued to manufacture chances and Mannus made a brilliant save from a Sheppard header on 54.
Then four minutes later Curran was denied by another slice of Mannus magic as Galway weren't able to reflect their superiority with a goal.

But Galway were then rocked on 62 when Enda Stevens' deep cross was headed home by Gary Twigg as Rovers hit the front.

Galway United: Barry Ryan; Conneely, Synott, McKenzie, Meynell (Walsh, 46); Curran (King, 76), Foley, O'Donnell, O'Brien (Creaney, 80); Bobby Ryan, Sheppard.

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Sives, Murray, Price, Stevens; Kavanagh (Turner, 65), Rice, Bayly, Dennehy (Chambers, 55); Stewart, Twigg (Barrett, 86).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).