Pat's captain Ger O'Brien and his team-mates with the cup. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Galway United 0-0 St Patrick’s Athletic (Pat’s win 4-3 on penalties)

CONOR O’MALLEY WAS the St Patrick’s Athletic hero as Liam Buckley’s charges claimed the EA Sports Cup at Eamonn Deacy Park.

It was the Saints third shoot-out win in this season’s competition as O’Malley made crucial saves to deny Jake Keegan and Andy O’Connell.

Conan Byrne, James Chambers, Christy Fagan, and Ian Morris all scored for the Dubliners, while Sean Hoare was denied by Conor Winn.

Ryan Connolly, Stephen Walsh, and Colm Horgan bagged for Galway, but O’Malley kept out penalties from Keegan and Andy O’Connell.

The visitors’ dictated most of the first half so a diligent Galway outfit were content to depart level at the break.

Pat’s did go close in the 20th minute when goalkeeper Conor Winn made a save to deny Greg Bolger following a Conan Byrne pass.

In the 39th minute James Chambers crafted an opportunity for Bolger, who failed to hit the target as Galway survived a scare.

President Michael D Higgins. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Then on the stroke of half-time Lee Desmond fizzed a shot wide as Galway continued to defend in resolute fashion.

Five minutes after the restart Byrne shaved the woodwork with a right footed attempt as Pat’s were controlling the tempo of the game.

But Galway improved as Paul Sinnott and Jason Molloy went close before Enda Curran’s 65th minute free-kick was saved by Conor O’Malley.

The visiting Saints supporters. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

A stunning Chambers volley on 78 was saved brilliantly by Winn, and extra-time was eventually required.

In the 97th minute Ryan Connolly’s free kick located Marc Ludden, who had an effort saved by O’Malley.

Saints substitute Christy Fagan curled a sweet attempt narrowly wide in the 111st minute as Pat’s came within a whisker of taking the lead, but penalties were necessary.

Manager Liam Buckley has now won the league title, the FAI Cup and the league cup in the past three years.

GALWAY UNITED: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Samuel Oji (Andy O’Connell, 103), Kilian Cantwell, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, Paul Sinnott, Ryan Connolly, Jason Molloy (Stephen Walsh, 74); Jake Keegan, Enda Curran (Conor Melody, 112).

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Conor O’Malley; Ger O’Brien, Sean Hoare, Kenny Browne, Lee Desmond; James Chambers; Conan Byrne, Greg Bolger, Killian Brennan (Jamie McGrath, 90, Aaron Greene (Ian Morris, 113); Morgan Langley (Christy Fagan, 67).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).

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