Galway United 0
St Patrick’s Athletic 1
AARON GREENE LANDED the decisive blow as St Patrick’s Athletic’s victory ensured they will feature in the Europa League qualifiers in 2016.
Liam Buckley’s side dominated and deservedly departed from the west armed with the full complement of spoils.
The Saints dictated the opening quarter, squandering a decent chance in the seventh minute when Galway goalkeeper Conor Winn saved a Christy Fagan effort following a Ger O’Brien cross.
Sean Hoare was then denied by the woodwork, while Kenny Browne headed a Killian Brennan corner wide as Galway were fortunate to survive a few scares.
O’Brien, James Chambers, and Christy Fagan all went close for the visitors before they pounced for a goal on the stroke of half-time.
Inevitably, Fagan was involved, crossing for Aaron Greene who supplied the smart close-range finish for the dominant Dubliners.
Eleven minutes after the restart, Greene headed an inviting Brennan corner wide as Pat’s were anxious to land another blow.
Fagan forced another excellent save from Winn in the 65th minute, while four minutes later Brennan fizzed a free-kick over the bar.
Galway United: Conor Winn (Kevin Horgan, 89), Colm Horgan, Samuel Oji (Enda Curran, 46), Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden, Gary Shanahan, Cormac Raftery, Paul Sinnott, Conor Melody (Tomi Saarelma, 85), Ryan Connolly, Jake Keegan.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Conor O’Malley, Ger O’Brien, Sean Hoare, Kenny Browne, Ian Bermingham, Conan Byrne, James Chambers, Killian Brennan (Ian Morris, 85), Aaron Greene, Jamie McGrath, Christy Fagan (Morgan Langley, 84).
Referee: Padraigh Sutton
