- Colm Cuddihy
- Sat, Sep 19 2015
It’s St. Patrick’s Athletic who win this season’s edition of the EA Sports Cup, as the Dubliners beat the Tribesmen 4-3 on penalties, in front of a sold out crowd in Eamon Deacy Park.
The visitors only made one change from their last league game when they lost to Limerick 3-1 in the Markets Field, Lee Desmond came in for Ian Bermingham. Tommy Dunne made quite a number of changes from the side that beat Longford Town 4-2 in the nights venue.
It was the Connacht club who had the first opportunity of the game, Jake Keegan was able to make a connection to a long ball from one of his teammates, but he was unable to convert his shot on target.
Greg Bolger had the first real shot of the game, his powerful shot from just inside the Galway box was saved by Conor Winn on the second attempt. Pats really grew into the game as the half wore on.
Morgan Langley could have broken the deadlock just on the half hour mark, but Killian Cantwell saw the run all the way and was able to make the perfect sliding challenge to block the Americans shot.
Pats really did pile on the pressure just before the end of the half, Killian Brennan’s well struck volley from just outside the box flew just past the post. But the half finished without a goal from either side.
The second half kicked off and it was Pats who came flying out of the blocks, they attacked in numbers but they were unable to find a way through a strong Galway defence.
Paul Sinnot had a rare chance for Galway, a shot on the half volley at the edge of the box was blocked, nothing came from the corner.
Conor O' Malley made a world class save from Enda Currans long range free kick, which the keeper tipped over for a corner.
St. Pats welcomed back Christy Fagan from injury and within seconds of the striker coming on for Morgan Langley, but his shot was just too high. Pats really did look brighter after his introduction.
This really was a game of great goalkeeping, James Chambers must have been on the verge of celebration after a sweetly struck volley from around 30 yards, but Conor Winn was on hand to make a wonderful one handed save to tip the ball over the cross bar.
The first half of extra time started like the second half of normal time ended, both teams were at each other’s throats and it did make for a great cup final. There was a few chances for both sides, but neither could score in the 15 minutes. The second fifteen was more of the same as penalties loomed. But it was St. Patricks Athletic whose name is on the EA Sports Cup for 2015.
Galway United: Conor Winn, Sami Oji, Marc Ludden, Killian Cantwell, Colm Horgan; Paul Sinnott, Gary Shanahan (Andy O’Connell 103), Jason Molloy (Stephen Walsh 72), Paul Sinnott, Ryan Connolly; Jake Keegan, Enda Curran (Conor Melody 122).
Subs Not Used: Toni Saarelma, Cormac Raferty, Conor Barry, Ger Hanley.
Yellow Cards: O’Connell (104)
St Patrick's Athletic: Conor O' Malley, Ger O' Brien, Sean Hoare, Kenny Browne, Lee Desmond; Killian Brennan (Jamie McGrath 91), Greg Bolger James Chambers, Aaron Greene (Ian Morris 112); Conan Byrne, Morgan Langley (Christy Fagan 72).
Subs Not Used: Sam Verdon, Ian Morris, Jason McGuinness, Pat Jennings, Jack Bayly.
Yellow Cards: Bolger (88)
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 3,662.
ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Conor O’Malley (St Patrick’s Athletic).
