Hickey's star turn decides Terryland thriller as Galway get the better of Pat's

Tribesmen's American import scores a first-half brace to ensure all three points stay in Galway after enthralling contest in wild conditions 

THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE: Patrick Hickey of Galway United, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Galway United and St Patrick's Athletic at Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Galway Utd 2 (Hickey 18’, 25’) St Patrick’s Athletic 1 (Keena 30’)

In a sea of League of Ireland superstars, it was the star turn of Patrick Hickey that decided the day in a thriller in Terryland.

Pat’s lost Jamie Lennon in the warm-up but the setback did not impede their start. They passed with purpose and pinned back their hosts.

The Tribesmen eventually settled and started to play their game. Hickey was central to all of their efforts. He dominated aerially and almost laid one on for Moses Dyer who snatched at his chance in the first quarter.

This might have encouraged the American to chance his own luck. He did so successfully twice in seven minutes. In the 18th minute, he blasted speculatively from outside the box and was aided by two deflections from Luke Turner and Joe Redmond.

There was no luck attached to the second as the powerful American thundered home a header after a sumptuous cross from wing-back Jeannot Esua.

St. Pat’s were unruffled by the double setback. Aidan Keena scored the pick of the goals when he hit a half-volley on the turn in the box for an emphatic finish.

Zach Elbouzedi and Brandon Kavanagh forced fantastic saves from Brendan Clarke, with the visitors firmly back in the ascendancy at the end of an outstanding first half in the customary western wind and rain.

Mason Melia made an immediate impact upon his introduction at half-time. Yet, United continued to press their physical advantage. They forced several corners, and Hickey nearly had his hat-trick but a 65th minute header was uncharacteristically tame.

The Saints' need was greater, and they were nearly on terms, only for Redmond’s header to be turned over the bar spectacularly by Clarke, who was in rare form against his old side. Jake Mulraney too came close but Esua scrambled his low drive across goal clear.

Galway United: Clarke; Esua, Slevin, Brouder, Cunningham, Burns (Donelon 71); Keohane, Hickey, Hurley (Borden 81); Walsh (Wilson 90), Dyer (Byrne 71)
St. Patrick’s Athletic: Anang; McLaughlin, Redmond, Turner, Breslin (Kazeem 83); Palmer (Forrester 83), Baggley, Kavanagh (Melia 45); Elbouzedi (Power 71), Keena 9Carty 86), Mulraney 

Referee: D MacGraith