Galway Utd 0 St Patricks Athletic 1:When St Patrick's Athletic boss John McDonnell sits down with his morning tea the Dubliner will reflect with ample satisfaction on another efficient 90 minutes. The club are perched proudly on the Premier Division summit and their flawless record after five games suggests this could be a fascinating season as their rollicking adventure persists.
St Patrick's entered the Terryland Park cauldron loaded with hope and expectation. It wasn't misplaced. Having stitched a four-game winning sequence together their aspirations are lofty.
Their shrewd close season additions still soar. Joseph Ndo brings a dash of craft and subtlety to the midfield. In attack the blistering pace and direction of Gary O'Neill was commendable.
The sporting gods hadn't smiled on Galway in the first four weeks of the campaign. Tony Cousins' charges have delivered encouraging displays, but only one point was registered.
There was no shortage of perspiration in the opening stages. Both sides started with innovative 3-5-2 systems ensuring the midfield was flooded with bodies. John Lester and Alan Murphy's thoughtfulness in the centre of the park was prominent as Galway troubled the visitors.
On the cusp of the half hour mark St Patrick's pinched the lead. Stephen Paisley located O'Neill with a sweet delivery. O'Neill's cross was precise and former Millwall striker Mark Quigley slipped home a cute goal to steer the Saints ahead.
Galway carved a flurry of opportunities in the remaining minutes of the half. Busy striker Barry Moran forced a splendid reflex save from Barry Ryan, while Lester headed over Iarlaith Daveron's corner. It was a similar tale of Galwegian pressure after the turnaround, but St Patrick's defended with craft and conviction.
GALWAY UNITED: Rogers; James, Nootimer, Charles; O'Brien, Foley, Lester, Murphy (Russell, 75 mins), Daveron (Cooke, 70 mins); O'Flynn, Moran (Glynn, 70 mins).
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Maguire, Brennan, Foley; Kirby, Fahey, Ndo, Mulcahy, Paisley; Quigley (Rooney, 75 mins), O'Neill (Guy, 83 mins).
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)
