LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION St Patrick's Ath 0 Galway Utd 1:A THIRD goal in two games from Vinny Faherty moved Galway out of the bottom three for the first time since the end of March.
It may only be on goal difference from Cobh Ramblers, but their unbeaten run of six games with three to play gives Jeff Kenna's side every hope of avoiding relegation.
Clearly with Fridays FAI Cup semi-final with Bohemians in mind, St Patricks manager John McDonnell made nine changes to the side that beat Shamrock Rovers 3-1 on Saturday, with only cup-tied Jason Gavin and Derek OBrien retaining their places.
Galway, not surprisingly given their plight, were well motivated and Ciarán Foley brought an early save from Lance Friesz to save the blushes of Gavin, whose mistake put the midfielder in on goal.
Long-range shots from John Lester and Alan Murphy scarcely troubled Friesz until he was beaten on 22 minutes, negligent defending allowing to Faherty glance a header from Murphy's cross to the net.
Friesz was the busier goalkeeper throughout the second 45 minutes, saving from Murphy and John Fitzgerald and Galway were full value for the win.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC:Friesz; Haverty, Gavin, Partridge, O'Cearuill; O'Brien (Harris, 75 mins), Brennan, Bialek, Byrne (Fahey, 62 mins.); G Fitzpatrick, S Fitzpatrick (Guy, 66 mins.).
GALWAY UNITED:Rogers; Conneely, A. Keane, Fitzgerald, McCulloch; J Keane, Murphy, Lester, Foley (Davoren, 81 mins.); Faherty, Russell (Glynn, 87 mins.)
Referee:Richie Winter (Dublin).
