Galway United 1

St Patrick’s Athletic 1

By Mike Rafferty at Eamonn Deacy Park

JUSTICE isn’t always achieved on sporting occasions and at Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday, a point was a poor outcome for a Galway United side who deserved more from this League of Ireland Premier Division contest.

The opening half offered more than it delivered as the home side got no reward for a positive start, but St Pat’s showed their class as they struck for the opener when Jason McClelland drilled home a cracking goal from outside the box.

No doubt, the words of wisdom in the dressing room at half time were loud and clear and from the first whistle to the last on the resumption, United pressed the visitors back and an early goal set the game up nicely.

There was very little variety as United pinged eight corners, double figure long throws and numerous crosses from left and right into the box, but it was an occasion when things did not fall their way.

There were certainly at least two contentious decisions that cost the home side all the points on offer. With his first touch following his introduction, a David Hurley corner wasn’t dealt with by the Pat’s defence and there were claims that the ball was over the line following a scramble.

Worse was to follow afterwards when an Ed McCarthy long throw was dropped by goalkeeper Joe Anang and the ball ended up in the net. United players and supporters were celebrating, but referee Daniel Murphy blew his whistle for a free out. It was another of those galling decisions where goalkeepers are over protected.

United went into this contest on the back of an impressive 2-0 away win over Dundalk the previous week and following a knock picked up by left full Rob Burns in training, he was replaced by Greg Cunningham for his first start in the only change.

Of course, this game took place on Sunday as St Patrick’s Athletic were in European action on Thursday night where they fashioned a 1-0 win over Sabah. Showing the depth of their squad, however, they made nine changes for the trip west but still looked an accomplished outfit.

Pictured: Galway United’s Stephen Walsh in an aerial exchange with Luke Turner of St Patrick’s Athletic during Sunday’s Premier Division tie at Eamonn Deacy Park. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.