Richmond Park is becoming synonymous with glorious Galway United wins.
On a nippy Monday evening by the banks of the Camac, another was added to a list and this latest triumph was chiselled out admirably.
Gary Rogers’ safety between the sticks, Alan Keane’s sweeping, John Russell’s prompting, Vinny Faherty’s goal, and John Lester’s sheer will, were the decorations on a dynamic display that ensures Galway’s premier division destiny is now in the club’s own hands.
Understandably a satisfied smile was etched on Jeff Kenna’s face afterwards. "It is an absolutely enormous result to get. It was always going to be difficult coming here even though people may argue that it is an understrength Pat's team, but that is not our problem, we still had to go out there and win. I thought one goal would win it before the game and thankfully we got it.
"I would have been happy with a point, but taking all three really puts the icing on the cake. It puts us in a very strong position, confidence is high, results have been coming back to back and the games cannot come quick enough.”
A feeble audience gathered as the Saints’ focus was firmly on Friday’s FAI Cup semi-final with Bohemians. That much was evident from Johnny McDonnell’s team selection, and while there was still experience in the Pat’s starting XI Galway dealt with their duties authoritatively.
Lester’s relevance to the Galway cause was so critical as the midfielder battled commendably in the centre of the park. Deprived of Jay O’Shea’s nifty footwork Galway didn't carve too many chances initially, but that altered.
Fifteen minutes in Lester, urged by Jeff Kenna in the technical area, thumped a long distance effort on target following an intricate move involving Seamus Conneely, John Russell, and Alan Murphy.
Galway were playing the more imaginative football and their ambition was rewarded in the 22nd minute. Murphy dashed out to the right flank and rifled a tasty cross to the back stick where Faherty supplied a crisp headed finish.
Moments later United squandered a gilt edged opportunity to double the advantage. Conneely, Russell, Ciaran Foley, and Marc McCulloch contributed to a dashing build up and when Faherty’s initial shot was blocked Jonathan Keane just couldn’t hook the rebound home.
Lester continued to put in a good shift with Murphy, Foley, and Jonathan Keane offering plenty of industry too. The Galway tackle count was high and the natives were a tad vexed.
At the back Alan Keane was passion personified, while John Fitzgerald contested the aerial deliveries expertly with Glen Fitzpatrick, and by the time the interval rolled around Galway remained in front.
It wasn’t simply that Galway were ahead that was encouraging, but the substantial and stylish manner in which they competed suggested the drop can be avoided. And there was even more optimism to be found in the way United dictated the contest after the interval .
A smashing free flowing bout of football saw Faherty and Russell prise an opening for Murphy, who drilled a low shot on target.
Then Faherty, causing the homesters problems throughout, was poleaxed by a David Partridge elbow. Somehow referee Richie Winter only brandished a yellow much to the chagrin of the United players, who spilled over to the scene of the crime. Nobody was disputing that the Dubliners were rattled, McDonnell summoned Keith Fahey from the bench attempting to add a passing influence and Ryan Guy and Jamie Harris to bring pace and power to the attack.
The replacements, though, encountered a formidable barrier in the shape of a Galway defensive unit that was marshalled superbly by skipper Fitzgerald and Alan Keane. When Fahey scooped a stoppage time shot wide, United knew that another vital victory had been garnered. The great escape is still on.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Friesz; Haverty, Gavin, Partridge, O’Cearuill; O’Brien (Harris, 75 ), Brennan, Bialek, Byrne (Fahey, 62 ); S Fitzpatrick (Guy, 66 ), G Fitzpatrick.
Galway United: Rogers; Conneely, A Keane, Fitzgerald, McCulloch; J Keane, Foley (Daveron, 81 ), Lester, Murphy; Russell (Glynn, 86 ); Faherty.
Referee: R Winter (Wicklow ).
