Match Report from rte.ie

Karl Sheppard's struck early in the second half to earn Galway United a vital three points against UCD in the Airtricity Premier Divison clash in the UCD Bowl.

Stephen Walsh drilled cross was deflected in by Sheppard in the 48th minute to hand Galway a much-needed boost in the race to avoid the relegation play-off.

UCD dominated the first half, with Evan McMillan's header crashing off the bar in the 38th minute.

Ciaran Kilduff came closest to netting an equaliser but he blazed his over when well-placed on the edge of the Galway area as the Tribesman held out.

David McMillan, Brian Shortall and Sean Harding missed out for UCD because of injury. Greg Bolger was also absent due to suspension.

Gareth Matthews, Robbie Creevy and Dwayne Wilson were handed starting roles.

Bobby Ryan and Thomas Heary left Galway during the week as manager Sean Connor continued to make cuts to his squad because of financial difficulties at Terryland Park.

Karl Sheppard and Ciaran Foley returned to the side in place of Ryan and Heary.

College started well, having most of the possession and Keith Ward tested Barry Ryan from 25 yards with the goalkeeper holding the ball at the second attempt.

In the seventh minute Chris Mulhall got the better of Galway defender Seamus Conneely but the winger skied his shot wide.

Evan McMillan had a free header from Ward's corner two minutes later which Barry Ryan saved comfortably.

Galway slowly came into the game and created an excellent chance to take the lead on 17 minutes.

Sheppard picked up the ball on the edge of the area, the UCD defence stood still as Stephen O'Donnell found time to shoot but Barron in the College goal saved well.

In the 24th minute College midfielder Ward went on a mazy run that ended inside the Galway area as Ryan got down well to keep the ball out.

Ward then sent a testing cross into the Galway area on 27 that Jamie McKenzie had to head clear with Ciaran Kilduff ready to pounce.

On the half-hour mark College went close again as Kilduff turned sharply in the Galway area.

The Students' leading scorer unleashed a low shot that deflected off a Tribesmen defender and slid just wide.

Ward conjured another opportunity for College on 35 as he chipped the ball over his man and played Kilduff in, however the striker scuffed his shot just wide.

A minute later and the same two players combined as Kilduff just stayed in line with the Galway defence from a Ward through ball. Ryan managed to keep out the ball out and Galway cleared.

The Students continued to apply pressure to Ryan's goal. In the 38th minute Evan McMillan's header from a Mulhall corner cannoned off the crossbar and over.

However, shortly after it was then Galway's turn to come close to breaking the deadlock. Ciaran Foley intercepted a sloppy UCD pass inside his own half and slid the ball forward to Sheppard.

The Galway marksmen ran through on goal, cut back and shot straight at Barron with only the goalkeeper to beat.

McMillan managed to clear the ball to safety from the follow-up and the chance was gone.

Galway then took the lead with the first real attack of the second-half.

The Tribesmen broke with Stephen Walsh running down the wing and his drilled cross was deflected in by Sheppard for a crucial lead.

It ended a long goal drought for the former Everton man and provided a much-needed boost to Sean Connor's side.

UCD almost drew level on 55 minutes as Mulhall's effort fell to Ward and Ryan parried the ball away.

Walsh let a superb opportunity go to waste on the hour mark as Ciaran Foley precise pass was miss-controlled by the young Galway man and Barron gathered the ball.

It proved to be Walsh's last piece of action in the match as he was substituted moments after picking up a knock. Former Longford Town defender Tom King was introduced in his place.

Paul O'Conor then shot straight at Ryan with 20 minutes to go with Galway looking comfortable with the one-goal lead.

The excellent O'Donnell dispossessed UCD substitute Paul Corry four minutes later and unleashed an ambitious effort from the half-way line that sailed over the bar.

Ward began to take hold of the ball again in the Galway half in the closing quarter with all of UCD's attacking intent coming from the tricky midfielder. His superb free-kick from 25 yards hit the side-netting with Ryan rooted to the spot on 72.

Galway looked dangerous on the break throughout the game and with 10 minutes left they should have sealed the win. King was twice denied by Barron and in-between McMillan blocked Sheppard's goal-bound effort.

UCD tried in vain to muster an equaliser as Mulhall set-up Kilduff with four minutes remaining but with time and space on the edge of the box, the striker fired over.

Sheppard missed a glorious chance to seal the victory on 90 minutes when his weak effort trickled wide.

In a frantic ending McMillan's free header from Ward's long punt forward went wide as Galway held on for a crucial three points.

UCD: Ger Barron, Gareth Matthews, Andy Boyle, Evan McMillan, Ciaran Nangle, Dwayne Wilson, Paul O'Conor, Keith Ward, Robert Creevy (Paul Corry 59), Chris Mulhall, Ciaran Kilduff,

Galway United: Barry Ryan, Seamus Conneely, Jamie McKenzie, Paul Sinnott, Rhys Meynell, Gary Curran, Ciaran Foley, Stephen O'Donnell, Derek O'Brien, Karl Sheppard, Stephen Walsh (Tom King 62).

Referee: Rob Rogers