Galway United 0 St Patrick's Athletic 1:Substitute Ryan Guy pinched the only goal of an interesting game as St Patrick's Athletic maintained their push for European football. Still it was a depleted Galway who enjoyed the more productive moments in a first half.
Alan Murphy's clever touches were providing flashes of inspiration and Galway ought to have scored at least once.
Shane Tracy, Murphy, Greg O'Halloran, and Ciarán Foley all went close for the willing home team, but the Saints managed to reach half-time on level terms.
Galway continued attacking in the second half and Vinny Faherty headed just wide in the 65th minute as they created more opportunities. However, it was the visitors who struck 90 seconds later.
Keith Fahey's venomous cross eventually landed at the feet of substitute Guy. In a densely populated area Guy managed to squeeze a shot home from an acute angle and St Patrick's were celebrating.
Three minutes from time Galway's Regillio Nootimer was dismissed for a foul on Glen Fitzpatrick in the penalty area. Gary O'Neill, with a chance to calm the visitors' nerves, took the responsibility but missed the spot kick, but St Patrick's headed home with the points.
GALWAY UNITED: Rogers; Keane, Nootimer, Fitzgerald, Reilly (Russell, 76); Moran (Fagan, 76 mins), Foley, O'Halloran, Tracy (Glynn, 56 mins); Murphy; Faherty.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Gibson, Brennan, Rogers, Paisley; Fahey, Ndo, Keane (Guy, 64 mins) Kirby (O'Connor, 64 mins); O'Neill, Quigley, (Fitzpatrick, 85 mins).
Referee: A Kelly (Cork).
