Galway United 0 St Patrick’s Athletic 3

 

St Patrick’s Athletic delivered a cool and clinical performance to secure a convincing opening night success at Terryland Park.

 

 

Having come so close to being knocked out of the top flight it came as little surprise that a new look Galway were eager and enthusiastic early on, but St Pat’s were sufficiently crafty to deal with this and they eked out a win.

 

Goals from Anto Murphy, David McMillan, and Derek Pender ensured the Dubliners claimed all the spoils in the west.

 

Shaun Kelly, one of six debutants for the Tribesmen, was willing to get forward from his right back berth as Galway attempted to put the visitors under pressure.

 

Still the Saints might have nicked a fifth minute lead when Daryl Kavanagh’s clever pass released David McMillan, but the former UCD frontman fired over.

 

Galway, though, were battling impressively and a 15th minute Karl Moore corner caused panic in the Pat’s area, but the Dubliners’ custodian Gary Rogers did well to save a Steve Feeney header.

 

Despite a fractured pre-season Galway were battling courageously and Sean Kelly came within a whisker of giving them a 24th minute lead with a blistering drive.

 

Six minutes before the interval Kavanagh raced clear following a rare Shaun Maher mistake, but Feeney kept Galway on terms as the defender made an excellent last gasp challenge.

 

After the restart Pat’s dominated and they grabbed a goal in the 49th minute courtesy of a sweet Anto Murphy strike.

 

Having seized the initiative Pat’s inflicted further damage three minutes later when Murphy turned provider as his long throw found Evan McMillan.

 

Galway were unable to clear and David McMillan was perfectly positioned at the back stick to nudge the visitors two up, and Derek Pender decorated the triumph in stoppage time.

 

Galway United: Fleming; Shaun Kelly, Feeney, Maher, Walsh; Ryan (G Kelly, 84), Sean Kelly, Curran, Moore; Keane (Curran, 42), Yoffe (Cash,

64).

 

St Patrick's Athletic: Rogers; Pender, Kenna, E McMillan, Shortall (Bermingham, 75); Murphy (Daly, 70), Mulcahy, McFaul,

Doyle (Keegan, 89); Kavanagh, D McMillan.

 

 

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).