Honours even between John Caulfield's Galway United and Stephen Kenny's St Pats

HONOURS EVEN: Galway United manager John Caulfield. Pic: ©INPHO/Evan Logan.

Galway United 1 St. Patrick’s Athletic 1

A depleted St. Pat’s side held on for a spirited 1-1 draw with Galway United after an entertaining tie in Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday afternoon.

United had chances to record a famous win but failed to convert them in a hard-fought second half.

The visitors made nine changes to the team that triumphed on Thursday against Sabah FK.

Al-Amin Kazeem drew the role of pantomime villain as he returned to Eamonn Deacy Park after playing the first half of the season in maroon.

The early action all took place on the left as he clashed with Jimmy Keohane. That was until Alex Nolan drifted in from the left and had a clearcut chance saved by Brendan Clarke.

United have reaped near Delap-level dividends from their long throw-ins this season and would have had another only for Aaron Bolger’s goal-line intervention.

Joseph Anang kept the home team at bay with a couple of saves before a moment of real quality. Jason McLelland received a beautiful ball from Brandon Kavanagh. He turned, drove at the defence and drilled a shot to the bottom corner for a 1-0 lead.

Galway United’s Edward McCarthy celebrates his goal. Pic: ©INPHO/Evan Logan

An altercation in the tunnel at half-time set the tone for the second. The temperature rose again when United levelled through Ed McCarthy.

Anang eventually paid the price for parrying shots. Walsh shot strongly from outside the box and this time McCarthy was on hand to turn the rebound home.

The ‘keeper remained under pressure as he faced an aerial bombardment on his goal. However, he dealt admirably with the corners and throw-ins.

He also survived on luck. Referee Daniel Murphy, who had done well to keep a lid on the game, penalised Patrick Hickey, who had steered in a McCarthy throw-in.

The American was adjudged to have fouled the Ghanian. The home crowd dissented but it was the last chance of note.

Galway United: Clarke; Esua, Buckley, Brouder, Cunningham; Keohane, Borden (Hurley 67), McCormack, Hickey (O’ Sullivan 85), McCarthy (Uzokwe 88); Walsh.

St. Patrick’s Athletic: Anang; McLaughlin 6 (Sjoberg 74), Keeley, Turner, Kazeem; Leavy, McLelland (Elbouzedi 74), Bolger, Kavanagh (Forrester 80), Nolan (Lennon 52); Keena (Melia 52).

Referee: D Murphy.