League Report: Galway United 1 - 1 St Patrick's Athletic

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United and St Patrick’s Athletic could not be separated when they played out a 1-1 draw at Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Saints have extended their dismal run of away games without a win in the league to 12 despite taking the lead through Jason McClelland in the first half – Ed McCarthy struck the equaliser for the home side.

John Caulfield made just one change from their 2-0 win over Dundalk with Greg Cunningham coming in for his first start for the Tribesmen with Bobby Burns missing from the matchday squad.

For the Saints, Stephen Kenny rang the changes from Thursday’s Europa Conference League victory over Sabah with Joseph Anang and Aidan Keena the only players from that starting eleven beginning the game in Galway.

Cunningham was involved early on with a sweetly struck free-kick that brought Anang off his line for the first time of the game, with the goalkeeper doing well to punch the danger away in the seventh minute.

At the other end Brendan Clarke was called into action in the tenth minute when a Conor Keeley long ball found Alex Nolan, the goalkeeper was well positioned to deny the visitors an opening goal from close range.

The Athletic just about managed to clear the ball off the line in the 19^th minute when Pat Hickey nodded down a long throw from Ed McCarthy, Aaron Bolger had the last touch to flick the ball from danger.

Anang had to be alert in the 24^th minute when Cunningham struck a free-kick from the corner – the goalkeeper didn’t seem to know a lot about it but managed to get his body in the way as the ball curled inward toward the goal.

Stephen Walsh drew a save from the goalkeeper in the 32^nd minute with a quick ball up the field by Conor McCormack, the striker was forced to unleash a shot from distance and he tested Anang with a full stretch save to deny the home side.

It may have been against the run of play but the Athletic took the lead in style in the 37^th minute when Luke Turner played a through ball to Jason McClelland, the midfielder was given acres of space as he fired off from distance with the ball clipping the woodwork before nestling in the net.

There were a number of confrontations in the tunnel at half time, it’s unclear what caused the tension with a number of stand offs between both side but Stephen Walsh and Jamie Lennon both received bookings.

The Tribesmen drew level in the 53^rd minute when Walsh struck a shot on the turn from distance, Anang failed to handle the ball well and McCarthy nipped in and smashed the rebound in for his third goal of the season.

Al-Amin Kazeem cleared the ball off the line in the 67^th minute when David Hurley struck a dangerous corner-kick, with his first touch off the bench, there was a scramble inside the box, but the former Galway defender booted the ball away to safety.

United had the ball in the back of the net in the 80^th minute from the boot of Hickey in a crowded goal mouth but referee Daniel Murphy blew the whistle for a free out with the imposing Tribesman called for a foul an Anang.

That was how it finished as the Saints prepare to travel to Azerbaijan for their next European fixture while Galway United travel to Tolka Park next week to face Shelbourne in the FAI Cup.

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Killian Brouder, Garry Buckley, Greg Cunningham, Jeannot Esua; Vincent Borden (David Hurley 67), Patrick Hickey (Karl O’Sullivan 85), Jimmy Keohane, Edward McCarthy (Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe 89), Conor McCormack; Stephen Walsh.

Subs not used: Jack Brady, Colm Horgan, Robert Slevin, Conor O'Keeffe, Maurice Nugent, Francely Lomboto.

Booked: Greg Cunningham (40), Stephen Walsh (46).

St. Patrick's Athletic: Joseph Tetteh Anang; Al Amin Kazeem, Conor Keeley, Ryan McLaughlin (Carl Sjöberg 73), Luke Turner; Aaron Bolger, Brandon Kavanagh (Christopher Forrester 79), Kian Leavy, Jason McClelland (Zack Elbouzedi 73), Alex Nolan (Jamie Lennon 52); Aidan Keena (Mason Melia 52).

Subs not used: Daniel Rogers, Anthony Breslin, Tom Grivosti, Jake Mulraney.

Booked: Jamie Lennon (46), Al Amin Kazeem (55), Conor Keeley (86).

Referee: Daniel Murphy.

Attendance: 2,500 (estimate)

extratime.com Player of the Match: Greg Cunningham (Galway United)

Romanian ref returns to Tallaght to take charge of Shamrock Rovers tie on Thursday https://t.co/MLsL5CgX4tpic.twitter.com/M0UB9acdeE

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