Sligo Rovers came out second best in the first Connacht derby of the season as Galway United overcame the Bit O’Red by a narrow margin at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Former Rovers man Jimmy Keohane netted this tie’s only goal, the one hundredth such meeting between the clubs on a cold night in the mid-west.

The visitors finished the game with ten men after stand-in centre half Carl McHugh was sent off for a late challenge late on. 

Sligo goalkeeper Sam Sargeant pulled off an early save from a nonchalant effort from David Hurley, before United struck for the game’s only goal.

Aaron Bolger making the most of some loose defending from Rovers before the ball finally fell to Keohane who lashed home from just inside the area. 

Ed McCarthy blazed over a wonderful chance from close range to double Galway’s lead before half-time.

Rovers began the second period the better of the sides, with Ryan O’Kane testing Evan Watts in the United goal straight after the re-starting whistle. Striker Mai Traore nodding over on the rebound. 

O’Kane caused problems down Galway’s right side during the second period and he pulled another save out of Watts on the hour.

Gareth McElroy saw a late header whipped off the Tribesmen’s goal-line in the second minute of added time, leaving Rovers to ponderwhat was our third defeat of the season.

Rovers return home this coming Saturday, March 7th. Drogheda United are the visitors to the Showgrounds. Kick-off 7.45pm. 

Galway United: Watts; Devitt, Parker (Williams 90), Brouder, Facchineri; Bolger (Wolfe 77), Barratt, McCarthy (Twardek 61), Keohane; Hurley (Piesold 90), Walsh.

Sligo Rovers: Sargeant; Stewart (Nolan 59), Esua, McElroy, McHugh; Quirk, McManus (Kavanagh 80), Fitzgerald, O’Kane; Meekison (Hakiki 46) (Patton 70), Traoré.

Referee: Rob Hennessy.