HAVING scored three against Drogheda on Friday night, St. Patrick’s thrilled their support with another five - though giving Galway a 2-0 lead wasn’t exactly in the plan.

Sean Connor's westerners, who’d taken just one point from their previous five game, perhaps stunned themselves as much as the home crowd by racing into a 2-0 lead by 19 minutes.

St Patrick’s had had a penalty shout for a foul on Danny North waved away by referee Neil Doyle before Evan McMillan made a goal-saving tackle on Alan Murphy at the other end all inside the first six minute.

Three minutes later Galway were in front when Brian Cash‘s low cross from the right was flicked home by Shane Keogh.

Galway doubled their lead from Murphy’s emphatically struck penalty after his initial shot had been handled by Paul Crowley.

McMillan began the St. Patrick’s revival when his header was tipped over by Galway keeper Greg Fleming. Derek Doyle then somehow contrived to head over after Fleming touched away a cross from Sean Stewart.

The pressure on the Galway goal told finally on 24 minutes when Daryl Kavanagh, who scored twice on Friday night, raced clear on to debutant left-back Jake Carroll’s ball over the top to confidently shoot past Fleming.

Fleming then made a terrific save with his feet to deprive Doyle before the home side deservedly levelled on 39 minutes. Captain Stephen Bradley whipped in a free-kick from the left and fellow central midfield partner Crowley found the net with a glancing header.

Substitute Anto Murphy’s introduction led to St Patrick's taking the lead on 59 minutes when his long throw was headed home by McMillan.

Doyle made it 4-2 on 64 minutes when following up to rifle home after North shot against a post.

The hardworking North then got his reward with the fifth goal three minutes later when driving low to the net following a goalmouth scramble.

Galway finished with ten men following the 78th minute dismissal of Shaun Kelly for a second booking.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Rogers; Pender, E. McMillan (Mulcahy 73), Shortall, Carroll; Stewart (Anto Murphy 58), Crowley, Bradley, Doyle; North, Kavanagh (D McMillan 76).

Galway United: Fleming; Shaun Kelly, Sinnott, G Kelly, Walsh (Gartland 89); Cash, Feeney (Eduardo 80), Sean Kelly, Moore; Keogh (Gilmore 66), Alan Murphy.

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).