Sport

McCarthy's goal keep's Pat's season alive

Ger McCarthy rescued a point for St Patrick's Athletic to prevent their season slipping away

By PAUL BUTTNER
Sat Mar 31 2001 - 01:00

Ger McCarthy rescued a point for St Patrick's Athletic to prevent their season slipping away. A second-half revival, instigated by their mercurial winger Bobby Ryan, appeared to have inflicted further damage on St Patrick's season as Galway United came from behind to lead within 18 minutes of the second-half.

But McCarthy was on hand to tap into an unguarded net on 85 minutes following Gavin Doyle's cross to salvage a point. St Patrick's went in full value for their half-time lead courtesy of an excellent strike from Robbie Griffin.

But Galway were an inspired side from the resumption and a terrific goal from Ryan and a second from Eric Lavine gave them the initiative.

Galway created precious little in front of goal in the opening 45 minutes. Indeed, their clearest chance of the first-half didn't arrive until stoppage time when Lavine toe-poked wide after cleverly weaving by two defenders. Galway were a goal down at that stage and the margin might well have been more.

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There was no stopping St Pats' lead goal when it did come on 32 minutes. Again the marking was slack as Griffin turned to connect with Martin Russell's cross from the left some 20 yards out; the ball flying into the far corner of the net. Inspired by Ryan from the resumption, Galway stormed back into the game with two superb goal.

Ryan, after Ollie Keogh won the ball, weaved by three defenders to drill home under the body of Shay Kelly to equalise on 56 minutes.

The lead arrived seven minutes later. Again Keogh played a crucial role in winning possession from Stephen McGuinness. Ryan got on the ball to force a parry save from Kelly with a fierce shot with Lavine following up to scored his first goal since November.

GALWAY UNITED: Forde; Crossley, Clery, Silke, Morgan; Keogh, Murphy, O'Connor, Sheridan, Ryan; Lavine. ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Kelly; Croly, Maguire, S. McGuinness, K. Doyle; Mbabazi, Osam, Griffin, Russell; Holt, McCarthy. Subs: R. McGuinness for Mbabazi (49 mins.), Harris for K. Doyle (67 mins.), G. Doyle for Osam (75 mins.).

Referee: P. Whelan (Dublin).