First-half dominance paves way for Galway United win over St Pat's
First-half goals from Edward McCarthy, David Hurley and Robert Slevin powered Galway United to a 3-1 victory over St Patrick's Athletic 3-1 at Eamonn Deacy Park.
On an immaculate Terryland surface on a sunswept evening in Galway, it was John Caulfield's team who started the encounter on the front foot.
With just two minutes played, United goalkeeper Evan Watts cannoned a goal kick in behind the St Pat's defence, which Edward McCarthy benefitted from, before his swivelled effort found the bottom corner to put the home side in front.
One goal soon turned into two when David Hurley, making his 160th appearance for the club, demonstrated his technical ability to find the opposition's net from his own half.
In the 11th minute, Hurley took full advantage of Joseph Anang's poor clearance, and his well-placed attempt before the halfway line dropped into the empty goal to send the United faithful into euphoria.
The St Pat's defence looked shaky throughout the opening 45 minutes, as further chances fell to McCarthy and the lively Moses Dyer, while at the other end of the pitch, Stephen Kenny's side struggled to create many clear-cut chances.
That was until youngster Mason Melia brought life into their attacking play as the first half progressed.
Melia first tested Watts with a close-range strike, before the Tottenham Hotspur-bound talent began another advance on the United backline, which led to a Saints lifeline in the 34th minute.
Simon Power was the man who eventually got on the end of an Axel Sjoberg through ball, and the winger's fine finish into the top corner halved the deficit.
St Pat's optimism was soon dashed, as within a minute, the Tribesmen claimed their two-goal cushion back as the cracker on Corribside continued.
Robert Slevin beat Anang to a Hurley corner kick, and the centre-back's header made it 3-1 with 10 minutes to play before the break.
In the second half, St Pat's brought more quality in possession, as opportunities landed to Aidan Keena and Jamie Lennon, but the United defence held firm.
A crucial call came in the 71st minute. A long-range Power shot was well saved by Watts, with Melia being quickest to react to the rebound, and an outstretched Greg Cunningham leg seemed to take Melia down. To the dismay of the Saints' bench, the referee adjudged the tackle not to be enough to award a penalty kick.
The Saints continued to push for a reply, but it wasn't to be for the Inchicore outfit, as Watts produced some top saves before the final whistle to retain his side's lead, as the Tribesmen picked up three valuable points.
Galway United: Watts; Byrne, Slevin, Cunningham (Burns 82), Dyer (Shaw 70); Hurley (McCormack 90), Hickey, Borden (Walsh 90), McCarthy (Brouder 90), Buckley; Esua.
St Patrick's Athletic: Anang; Redmond, Grivosti (Hoare 45), Lennon, Elbouzedi; Melia, McClelland (Kazeem 87), Keena (Forrester 70), Baggley (Carty 82), Sjoberg (Kavanagh 70); Power.
Rob Harvey.
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