Galway United seal Premier status with St Pat's stalemate

Aaron Bolger of Galway United in action against Jason McClelland of St Patrick's Athletic. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Premier Division: Galway United 0 St Patrick's Athletic 0

Galway United sealed their Premier Division status with a 0-0 draw against St Pat's at Eamonn Deacy Park.

United entered Friday night's contest knowing a point would guarantee their top-flight status for 2027. A point is what they got in a largely uneventful scoreless draw.

In a first-half devoid of goalmouth action, it was United who came closest through Gianfranco Facchineri. The United centre-back latched on to a Kris Twardek knock-down, but his tame headed effort sailed into Joseph Anang's arms.

St Pats dominated possession, but failed to effectively probe the well-drilled United deep block. Aidan Keena's timid long-range effort was their only shot on target in the opening '45.

Both teams came out for the second half, upping the tempo. 

Keena had an effort cleared off the United line by Connor Barratt before Jimmy Keohane and Stephen Walsh linked well to test Anang in the 52nd minute.

Kian Leavy did his utmost to move the needle for his side upon his introduction on the hour mark, but his side still lacked the incisiveness required to test United's resolve.

St Pat's continued to probe and United continued to rebuke. The Inchicore outfit just didn't do enough against a United side desperate to get the draw they so craved.

It's yet another success for Caulfield and his side, who were predicted to go down at the beginning of the season.

It leaves Stephen Kenny with much to ponder as his side, who would have been dreaming of the title just a week ago, are now winless in three.

Galway United: Hugo Pires Da Cunha; Anthony O'Connor, Connor Barratt, Gianfranco Facchineri, Lee Devitt; Jimmy Keohane (C), Aaron Bolger, David Hurley, Ed McCarthy (Dylan Connolly '80); Kris Twardek (Francely Lamboto '80), Stephen Walsh.

St Pat's: Joseph Anang; Joseph Redmond (C), Darragh Nugent, Luke Turner; James Brown, Chris Forrester (Anthony Olusanya '81), Romal Palmer (Kian Leavy '60), Ryan Sheridan (Sean Hoare '60, McHale '70), Jason McClelland; Ryan Edmondson, Aidan Keena (Jamie Lennon '81).

Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan