Galway United 2 St Patrick's Athletic 1:A TEMPESTUOUS close season departure from Galway United ensured Jeff Kenna's Terryland Park return wasn't deprived of intrigue.

There has been a touch of the erratic about St Patrick’s Athletic since March, but this fixture was always likely to provide an accurate barometer of their current health.

Within five minutes St Pat’s were rocked by the concession of a preventable goal as Galway struck from a set piece again.

Republic of Ireland under-21 international Jay O’Shea fizzed a corner into the area, and Gary Breen timed his run intelligently before supplying the necessary close-range finish.

And though Galway controlled the opening half hour St Pat’s restored parity in the 32nd minute when Mark Quigley clinically converted a penalty after Stuart Byrne had been fouled by Breen.

But there is an admirable resilience about Galway this term, and the locals regained the initiative two minutes into the second period. O’Shea’s deflected free-kick eventually rattled the St Pat’s net, and hope was back in maroon hearts. After the game the visitors’ Jamie Harris was red-carded for dissent to compound their woeful night in the west.

GALWAY UNITED: Ryan; Conneely, Guthrie, Breen, Davoren; Cooke, Kelly (McBrien, 44 mins), Russell (Edwards, 69 mins), O'Brien (O'Toole, 81 mins); O'Shea; Faherty.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Maher, Harris, Partridge, Stevens; Lynch, Byrne (O'Connor, 78 mins), Cawley, Ryan; Quigley, Guy.

Referee:D Hanney (Dublin).