Honours were shared at a windy Eamonn Deacy Park with Galway United dominating the second period against an understrength Saints but surrendering ground on both Sligo Rovers and Waterford in the race for a European place.
A sweet Jay McClelland strike had Saints go into the break in front but a mistake from Joesph Anang allowed Ed McCarthy to level, with a point better than nothing for the doughty home side, who will feel they had a goal wrongly disallowed late on.
It was far from a classic but, with Saints already out of the Cup, their hopes of playing European football next season are looking ropey at this stage. Galway retain a fighting chance.
Greg Cunningham made a somewhat belated but high-profile start for Galway United, the Ireland international's recent signing – even at age 33 – an expression of United’s intent: they are targeting the top four.
So are Saints, who made nine changes in between the two Conference League qualifier legs against Sabah.
A tiring trip to Azerbaijan awaits Pat’s – but they would still be very much in the race for fourth if they prevailed in Galway.
There was early cheer for the boisterous home crowd as Al-Amin Kazeem, whose departure from United to Saints lately was rather acrimonious, was deemed guilty of simulation.
For all their alterations, Stephen Kenny still put out a strong Athletic side and they nearly went in front on ten minutes. Under no pressure, Luke Turner dinked a ball over the United defence; after a sumptuous touch, Alex Nolan was confronted by Brendan Clarke, who made a fine save.
The strapping American Patrick Hickey has proven really difficult to deal with from setpieces. He connected with Ed McCarthy’s 18th-minute long through; Stephen Walsh, sensing blood at the back post, saw his shot cleared away as United came closest to scoring so far.
The beauty of the left-footed footballer prevailed in the opener on 37 minutes. United’s press was inefficient. Brandon Kavanagh, not for the first time the scourge of the locals in Terryland, found McClelland with a precise pass and the last-named had enough space and class to drive at the United defense and then beyond Clarke.
United were back level on 53 minutes and its replay is something Joey Anang will watch with reluctance if at all: he spilled a speculative Walsh shot and Ed McCarthy pounced to tap home.
Aidan Keena’s move to Saints has not been an immediate success and he was hauled off well before the hour mark, again having struggled, with Jamie Lennon also coming on to shore up the Pat’s midfield.
Midway through the half, a beautiful Dave Hurley corner mere seconds after he was introduced caused chaos in the box but Kazeem reacted well to clear.
United were very much on top and Stephen Walsh’s extended sprint and excellent challenge on Luke Turner inspired the locals that victory was possible if not imminent.
Not for the first time this season, Hickey was adjudged to have fouled a goalkeeper before United had a goal ruled out – Anang flapping and praying for help from the referee – as United nearly went ahead with 12 minutes to go.
The game finished level with neither side overly pleased given the congested nature of the table.
Pat's now begin their journey to Azerbaijan, while focus for Galway switches to an FAI Cup tie with Shelbourne next Friday in Tolka Park.
Galway United: Clarke; Esua, Brouder, Buckley, Cunningham; Keohane, Borden (Hurley 67), McCormack, Hickey (O’Sullivan 85), McCarthy (Ogedi-Uzokwe 89); Walsh.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Anang; McLaughlin (Sjoeberg 74), Turner, Keeley, Kazeem; Leavy, Bolger, McClelland (Elbouzedi 74), Nolan (Lennon 53); Kavanagh (Forrester 80); Keena (Melia 53).
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