The advocates of summer soccer would have been in their element for much of this weather-beaten, 90 minutes of football, thankfully brought to life with a winning goal from 19-year-old Alan Murphy, his first for Galway United.

In fairness, a bitterly cold, rain-swept Terryland Park made life very difficult for the players, but hardly excused a dreadfully poor first-half.

Galway, chasing only their second win in 10 games and their first at home since mid-September, enjoyed much of the possession but rarely threatened Stephen O'Brien's goal.

Just once did either goalkeeper have to stretch themselves before the interval. Galway's David Forde made a comfortable stop form a deflected Stuart Byrne shot on 28 minutes, while O'Brien did well to parry a party-piece free-kick from Scott Morgan.

Thankfully, the second-half brought an improvement to the play and Galway deservedly went in front for what proved the winning goal on 59 minutes. Stephen Grant, who, within two minutes of the restart had forced a good save from O'Brien with a header, challenged the goalkeeper from a Ryan cross.

O'Brien, often criticised for punching the ball away too much when he might be able to catch, had little option to do so on this occasion. Unfortunately for him and Longford, the ball fell kindly for Murphy whose left-foot drive burrowed its way through a forest of legs and trickle over the line.

GALWAY UNITED: Forde; Crossley, Silke, Burke, Morgan; Ryan, Sheridan, Murphy, O'Brien; Lavine, Grant. Sub: Malee for Ryan (84 mins).

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Murphy, Smith, McNally, Coyle; Gavin, Kelly, S Byrne, Notaro; O'Connor, Zellor. Subs: V Perth and Farrell for Kelly and Notaro (both 72 mins), H Kenny for Zellor (81 mins).

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).