CHRISTY FAGAN’S EARLY strike was enough for St. Patrick’s Athletic to see off Galway United at Richmond Park tonight to move level on points with the Tribesmen in sixth position in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.
St. Pat’s started with the inexperienced duo of Lee Desmond and Michael Barker in the centre of midfield while Galway named the same 11 which defeated champions Dundalk 1-0 last week.
But it was Pat’s who started the brighter and took the lead on three minutes.
After a couple of neat passes in midfield, on-loan Everton winger Steven Kinsella found himself between defence and attack which allowed him to pick out Christy Fagan who had peeled off and the Pat’s marksman took a touch with his right before shifting onto his left to shoot across Conor Winn from just inside the area and into the far corner to give the hosts the perfect start.
They could’ve doubled their lead moments later as Barker rose highest to send a Conan Byrne corner just over the crossbar.
Pat’s were enjoying the share of possession early on as their two man attack of Fagan and Jamie McGrath particularly, applied pressure on Galway and stopped them from playing out of defence giving the visitors little opportunity to get any sort of rhythm going.
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Galway had a magnificent chance to level things up mid-way through the half though as Ryan Connolly’s measured cross found Vinny Faherty free in the box but his weak header went straight at Brendan Clarke who saved with his feet.
Pat’s should’ve made it two on the 38th minute as Desmond powered forward from midfield before finding McGrath who skipped past Stephen Folan but after creating space the youngster couldn’t find the finish as he scuffed his effort harmlessly into the ‘keeper’s hands.
It appeared as if Tommy Dunne’s words were ringing in the ears of the United players after the resumption as they looked to make amends for their below-par opening half.
Connolly was linking up well with Faherty as the striker’s speculative header from the edge of the box had Clarke back-pedalling but the Pat’s goalkeeper breathed a sigh of relief as the effort went just over.
Graham Kelly was introduced just past the hour mark and his first action was to find Rory Feely at the back post from a corner but the Pat’s defender couldn’t find the power to head past Winn.
Galway countered and Clarke was forced to deny to Paul Sinnott with a one-handed save after a powerful effort which just lacked the direction to beat the Saint’s net-minder.
Kelly then nudged Faherty on the edge of the Pat’s area which led to the Galway man going down and from the resulting free-kick the ball rebounded to Connolly whose rasping effort from 20 yards whistled by the post.
Fagan made way for Dinny Corcoran late on and the former Sligo Rovers forward spurned a great chance to seal the points as he failed to get his effort away when one-on-one with Winn.
Galway searched for an equaliser in the dying minutes, forcing Sean Hoare into a couple of last ditch tackles but the hosts held out to just about keep alive their hopes of securing European qualification for next season.
St. Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Ger O’Brien (c), Sean Hoare, Rory Feely, Ian Bermingham; Conan Byrne (Graham Kelly, 62), Lee Desmond, Michael Barker, Stephen Kinsella (Markey, 85), Jamie McGrath; Christy Fagan (Dinny Corcoran, 79).
Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Armin Aganovic, Stephan Folan, Stephan Walsh; Gary Shanahan, Paul Sinnott, Alex Byrne (Enda Curran, 66), Ryan Connolly (c), Kevin Devaney (Marc Ludden, 72); Vinny Faherty.
Referee: Ray Matthews.
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Christy Fagan on target as St Pat's edge past Galway
St. Patrick’s Athletic 1
Galway United 0
CHRISTY FAGAN’S EARLY strike was enough for St. Patrick’s Athletic to see off Galway United at Richmond Park tonight to move level on points with the Tribesmen in sixth position in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.
St. Pat’s started with the inexperienced duo of Lee Desmond and Michael Barker in the centre of midfield while Galway named the same 11 which defeated champions Dundalk 1-0 last week.
But it was Pat’s who started the brighter and took the lead on three minutes.
After a couple of neat passes in midfield, on-loan Everton winger Steven Kinsella found himself between defence and attack which allowed him to pick out Christy Fagan who had peeled off and the Pat’s marksman took a touch with his right before shifting onto his left to shoot across Conor Winn from just inside the area and into the far corner to give the hosts the perfect start.
They could’ve doubled their lead moments later as Barker rose highest to send a Conan Byrne corner just over the crossbar.
Pat’s were enjoying the share of possession early on as their two man attack of Fagan and Jamie McGrath particularly, applied pressure on Galway and stopped them from playing out of defence giving the visitors little opportunity to get any sort of rhythm going.
Galway had a magnificent chance to level things up mid-way through the half though as Ryan Connolly’s measured cross found Vinny Faherty free in the box but his weak header went straight at Brendan Clarke who saved with his feet.
Pat’s should’ve made it two on the 38th minute as Desmond powered forward from midfield before finding McGrath who skipped past Stephen Folan but after creating space the youngster couldn’t find the finish as he scuffed his effort harmlessly into the ‘keeper’s hands.
It appeared as if Tommy Dunne’s words were ringing in the ears of the United players after the resumption as they looked to make amends for their below-par opening half.
Connolly was linking up well with Faherty as the striker’s speculative header from the edge of the box had Clarke back-pedalling but the Pat’s goalkeeper breathed a sigh of relief as the effort went just over.
Graham Kelly was introduced just past the hour mark and his first action was to find Rory Feely at the back post from a corner but the Pat’s defender couldn’t find the power to head past Winn.
Galway countered and Clarke was forced to deny to Paul Sinnott with a one-handed save after a powerful effort which just lacked the direction to beat the Saint’s net-minder.
Kelly then nudged Faherty on the edge of the Pat’s area which led to the Galway man going down and from the resulting free-kick the ball rebounded to Connolly whose rasping effort from 20 yards whistled by the post.
Fagan made way for Dinny Corcoran late on and the former Sligo Rovers forward spurned a great chance to seal the points as he failed to get his effort away when one-on-one with Winn.
Galway searched for an equaliser in the dying minutes, forcing Sean Hoare into a couple of last ditch tackles but the hosts held out to just about keep alive their hopes of securing European qualification for next season.
St. Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Ger O’Brien (c), Sean Hoare, Rory Feely, Ian Bermingham; Conan Byrne (Graham Kelly, 62), Lee Desmond, Michael Barker, Stephen Kinsella (Markey, 85), Jamie McGrath; Christy Fagan (Dinny Corcoran, 79).
Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Armin Aganovic, Stephan Folan, Stephan Walsh; Gary Shanahan, Paul Sinnott, Alex Byrne (Enda Curran, 66), Ryan Connolly (c), Kevin Devaney (Marc Ludden, 72); Vinny Faherty.
Referee: Ray Matthews.
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