Struggling Galway United’s search for elusive win continues

Galway United 1

By Mike Rafferty at Richmond Park

EVENTUALLY, a slender reward for Galway United as they picked up a merited and valuable point in Richmond Park on Friday night as their quest to get away from the lower region of the League of Ireland Premier Division continues.

There was no shortage of familiarity in this game as the teams were meeting for the second week in succession following United's FAI Cup exit at the Dublin venue the week before. It was a contest in which there was no shortage of drama, as United took the lead, before conceding the equaliser and then having David Hurley red carded in the closing minutes.

However, the most contentious moment came on 82 minutes when a Rob Slevin cross was flapped at by goalkeeper Joseph Anang and the loose ball was finished to the net by Patrick Hickey. It would have put the visitors ahead, but referee Rob Harvey somehow deemed there was a handball in the process.

Manager John Caulfield made three changes to the side from the previous meeting as Rob Slevin, Alex Pixsold and Jeremy Sivi replaced David Hurley, Ed McCarthy and the suspended Killian Brouder

As usual, the contest followed a familiar pattern as St Pat's enjoyed plenty of possession with Kian Leavy the central driving force, as the home side were off target with early threats from Luke Turner, Simon Power and Jake Mulready.

The only half chance presented to the visitors came on 22 minutes when Turner left a back pass to his goalkeeper short, but while Patrick Hickey seized upon the opportunity, Joe Anang got a touch to the ball as he deflected it out for a corner. Subsequently, it was Rob Slevin who got his head to a Aaron Bolger corner, but it lacked power as Anang comfortably gathered.

St Patrick's slick passing presented them with two clear cut chances before the break. On 33 minutes, a smashing run and shot by Leavy was deflected away by the impressive Brendan Clarke, before the custodian came to their rescue again within minutes when Mason Melia was straight through on goal, but the reflexes of the custodian deflected the ball away for a fruitless corner.

Though Ed McCarthy replaced a clearly unhappy Jeremy Sivi on 32 minutes, David Hurley was introduced at the break for Piesold and immediately the Cork native had an impact on the game, as a strong early tackle set the agenda while he also had a shot deflected away for a corner.

Pictured: Galway United's Jimmy Keohane tussling for possession with Edwin Agbaje of Sligo Rovers during Monday's Premier Division tie at Eamonn Deacy Park. Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy.