31 October 2014; Galway players celebrate at the end of the game. SSE Airtricity League Promotion/Relegation, Play-Off, Second Leg, Galway v UCD, Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

31 October 2014; Galway's Alex Byrne,second from left , celebrates after scoring his side's third goal with team-mates, from left, Ryan Connolly, Ryan Manning and Stephen Walsh. SSE Airtricity League Promotion/Relegation, Play-Off, Second Leg, Galway v UCD, Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

31 October 2014; Ryan Manning, Galway, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal. SSE Airtricity League Promotion/Relegation, Play-Off, Second Leg, Galway v UCD, Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

31 October 2014; Ryan Manning, left,, Galway, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal with team-mate Gary Shanahan. SSE Airtricity League Promotion/Relegation, Play-Off, Second Leg, Galway v UCD, Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

Ten months ago when Tommy Dunne walked into his office overlooking Eamonn Deacy Park’s pristine pitch, he couldn’t have envisaged a raw and emotional night like this.

So much has happened for the football fraternity in the west in such a short space of time and a party erupted.

The club’s name changes to Galway United for the 2015 campaign and the recent evidence on and off the park suggests something is stirring around these parts.

The hosts led 2-1 from the first leg and UCD were never allowed to settle in a contest bossed by Galway skipper Paul Sinnott and Alex Byrne, which enabled Ryan Connolly to pass and probe in front of a crowd of 2,890.

With Ireland U-19 international Ryan Manning prominent Galway caused the visitors problems early on.

Just when it appeared as if the teams would depart level at the break Galway summoned an attack on the stoke of half-time. Gary Shanahan ruthlessly punished hesitant UCD defending, pouncing to slip the ball past Conor O’Donnell.

Suddenly there was a healthy cut to Galway’s advantage, the locals’ nerves were settled.

UCD boss Aaron Callaghan made a string of changes, opting for a three-man defence as Hugh Douglas was shoved up from centre-half to lead the line in attack. The Students’ patient passing was shelved, a direct approach started to pose questions of Galway’s resolve.

But at the opposite end of the pitch Dunne’s willing group of workers revelled in the extra space afforded to them.

In the 72nd minute Jake Keegan was thwarted by another O’Donnell stop, but the promising Manning confidently swept the rebound home.

UCD were battered, beaten, and bewildered as Galway closed the deal. Shanahan and Connolly went close before Alex Byrne lashed a splendid third in the 81st minute.

The Students’ were fortunate Galway didn’t inflict further damage in the dying embers, but it scarcely mattered.

Ultimately this was about more than one match for the people who have tried to keep the League of Ireland game alive in the west.

Galway United are back in the top flight. This Galway journey is just beginning.

GALWAY FC – Gleeson; Horgan, Barrett, Walsh, Ludden; Sinnott, Byrne (Curran, 84); Shanahan, Connolly, Manning (Molloy, 87); Keegan (Faherty, 84).

UCD – O’Donnell; Matthews, Douglas, Ryan, Langtry; Mulhall (Kavanagh, 79), Creevy, Benson, Molloy; Belhout, Cannon (Burke, 49).

REF – D McKeon (Dublin).

Online Editors