Aaron Bolger's brace sees Galway United battle back to knock St Pats off top

It's two points dropped for Pat’s as they fall to second behind Shamrock Rovers who were victorious at home to Waterford.

Fri, 01 May, 2026 - 22:13

Paul Madden, Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United 2 St Pats 2

St Pat’s were knocked off top spot in the League of Ireland Premier Division on Friday night as a late goal by Aaron Bolger earned Galway United a 2-2 draw in Eamonn Deacy Park.

Stephen Kenny made one change to his side that beat Bohemians last time out, while John Caulfield’s side were unchanged following last week’s 1-1 draw away to Waterford.

The Tribesmen struggled to control the ball early and within 10 minutes the Saints had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be ruled offside. Kian Leavy latched onto a through ball and slotted it past the onrushing Evan Watts, but the linesman’s flag was raised.

Galway attempted to play out from the back but Brouder’s pass was intercepted, and some neat footwork from Chris Forrester found Zach Elboudezi on the left-hand side, and his cross found the head of Ryan Edmonson who made no mistake to give Pat’s an early lead with his seventh goal of the season.

Galway’s best chances came through three David Hurley set pieces, the closest of which came right before half-time when Kazeem won a free kick on Galway’s left-hand side. Hurley’s delivery was headed towards goal by Facchineri but was blocked before being cleared from danger.

The second half saw Galway gradually start to dictate the ball, but the Tribesmen were punished on the break just 10 minutes in as the ball broke wide to Elbouzedi on the right, his pinpoint cross finding Forrester unmarked who volleyed home to make it 2-0 to Saints.

Galway manager John Caulfield looked to react immediately with four substitutes ready to enter the field, and this seemed to give live to his players on the pitch as a loose ball in the box fell to Aaron Bolger who raised the roof of the net to get Galway back in the game and make it 2-1 on the hour mark.

United’s quadruple change was made regardless, and this along with the buoyant Deacy Park home crowd seemed to shift momentum back in Galway’s favour with Lomboto and Pierrot causing havoc for the St. Pat’s back line. The home side attacked relentlessly and thought they were rewarded when a Bolger header was stopped on the line by a spectacular one-handed save by Anang.

As the clock hit 90 minutes it looked like Pat’s would leave the West with all three points, but Galway weren’t finished yet and in the dying minutes a blocked shot fell into the path of Aaron Bolger who drilled the ball into the bottom corner to level the game.

It was his second of the night which was enough to bag a valuable point for John Caulfield’s side while it is two points dropped for Pat’s as they fall to second behind Shamrock Rovers who were victorious at home to Waterford.

Galway United: E Watts, C. Barratt, A. Kazeem (A Piesold 64’), K Brouder, G Facchineri, A Bolger, M Wolfe (F Lomboto 62’), D Hurley (c), K Twardek (W Williams 64’), E McCarthy, S Walsh (F Pierrot 64’).

St Pat’s: J Anang, J Brown, L Turner, J Redmond (c), T Grivosti, J Lennon, B Crowe Baggley, K Leavy (J McClelland 90’), Z Elbouzedi (A Breslin 70’), C Forrester (D Nugent 69’), R Edmonson (M Mata 75’).

Referee: Rob Hennessy.