Galway United hit for six in another league mis-match

St. Patrick's Athletic 6

Galway United 1

GALWAY United slumped to their 23rd consecutive loss with a demoralising defeat at the hands of title challengers St. Patrick’s Atheletic in Richmond Park last Saturday night.

After an encouraging performance a fortnight previous against Europa League qualifiers Shamrock Rovers, any impressions of a revival were knocked back as United faded back into a disturbingly familiar pattern.

In reality, the game in Inchicore was over before it even started as the home side were in front inside 80 seconds. Eric Browne was caught out of position and was punished by the slick passing of front pair Daryl Kavanagh and Daniel North who combined to slip Sean O’Connor in and the winger swept the ball past Conor Winn.

Galway, who travelled to the capital with a meagre squad of 14, ventured forward after this initial setback and Alan Murphy’s effort that sailed over the bar a minute later suggested that the visitors might still make a contest of it.

Such cautious optimism soon eroded as Pat’s came to dominate the middle. Sean O’Connor caused numerous problems on the left too for a Galway defence who struggled to keep a high line.

Derek Doyle made hay on this flank also and had to be denied by a smart save from Winn when he stole in behind the defence. The same player was involved two minutes later when the Saints went two up.

A corner was half-cleared only as far as O’Connor whose shot into a crowded goalmouth was diverted by Doyle onto the raised arm of United skipper Alan Murphy who was harshly penalised as referee Graham Kelly pointed to the spot. Midfield impressario Stephen Bradley dispatched the penalty with aplomb giving his side a two-goal cushion with only 13 minutes gone.

Bradley and Shane McFaul dictated proceedings in the middle despite the commendable efforts of Murphy and Gary Kelly. Stephen Walsh averted a near certain goal when he launched himself bravely at a loose ball in the area after Ian Bermingham had made one of many raids on the left.

At the other end, the visitors did manage to string a couple of phases together. A couple of long-range Murphy efforts failed to threaten former Galway custodian Gary Rogers who had only one comfortable save to make from a decent Gary Kelly strike.

Despite some positive play, it wasn’t long before a fairly inevitable third arrived that well and truly sealed the points. Striker North somehow evaded the offside flag and forced a great save from ‘keeper Winn. From the resulting corner, Ronan Caldwell’s clearing header sat up beautifully for North who swung sweetly to direct the ball into the top corner of the net.

Matters worsened before the break when Pats scored the pick of their eventual six. Former-Arsenal star Bradley chipped a delicate ball over the top for Daryl Kavanagh to latch onto.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.