Pat's win goalfest against Galway

St Patrick’s Athletic 4 Galway United 2

Derek Doyle scored a hat-trick as St Patrick’s suffered a shock or two before winning this Richmond Park thriller.

Saints exposed poor defending to get the dream start of the lead goal after just two minutes.

Vinny Faherty put over the cross and Doyle arrived in acres of space to fire home.

But cash-strapped Galway levelled out of nothing seven minutes before the break when Anto Flood collected Karl Sheppard’s pass to shoot past Gary Rogers.

Gary Curran then stunned the home crowd by punishing a defensive blunder to chip Gary Rogers from 30 yards to put Galway in front right on the blow of the break.

But Saints powered back in the second half with Vinny Faherty equalising after Paul Byrne flicked on a Conor Kenna free-kick.

Doyle then fired Saints in front on 72 minutes after working a one-two with Derek Pender.

The hat-trick arrived on 82 minutes when Doyle slotted home a penalty after Brian Cash was taken down by Rhys Meynell.