O'Brien returns to haunt St Patrick's

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: St Patrick's Ath 0 Galway Utd 3JEFF KENNA endured a frustrating start to his reign as St Patrick's Athletic manager last night as his new side was taken apart by his former charges Galway United.

Although injuries and suspension had cost St Patrick’s several experienced players, Kenna could hardly have expected such a tepid performance from his new outfit.

Two goals from Derek O’Brien – who had made the move in the opposite direction from St Patrick’s to Galway in the close season – and another from Vinny Faherty handed United the spoils.

The game was never going to lack for spice but the atmosphere was enlivened by the fact he was facing his previous club so soon after leaving in controversial fashion to take up the reins at Richmond Park.

New Galway manager Ian Foster had his own reasons for wanting to make an impression in his first game in charge and the first-half display was just the response he would have wanted.

The home side struggled to find a way through United’s five-man midfield and the closest St Patrick’s came early on was an Alan Cawley shot that was deflected over by a team-mate in the 16th minute. Less than two minutes later Foster’s side got their reward when a Jay O’Shea free-kick from the left was headed home via the post by winger O’Brien.

United then had a spell of sustained pressure and Garry Breen should have done better than head to the side-netting on 27 minutes.

Kenna made two changes at half-time bringing in Ryan Guy and Kyle Moran but it seemed to unsettle their side. They were 3-0 down within seven minutes of the restart. O’Brien did the damage once again. His 49th-minute burst down the left ended with a low cross that Faherty bundled home.

The shell-shocked Saints then fell further behind two minutes later when O’Brien blasted home from just outside the box.

As the St Patrick’s chased the tie, Darragh Ryan had a long-range strike rattle the inside of the Galway upright before being bundled away for a corner in the 78th minute.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Lynch, Gavin, Haverty, D Ryan, O'Connor, Lester, Cawley, Freimanis (Guy, 46 mins), Leech, Haran (Moran, 46 mins).

GALWAY UTD: B Ryan; Conneelly, Breen, Guthrie, Davoren, O'Shea, Kelly, McBrien (Murphy, 70 mins), McGrath, O'Brien (Sinnott, 81 mins), Faherty (Edwards, 90 mins).

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).