Galway United 0
Derry City 1
BY CIAN O'CONNELL
Silverware or survival? A provocative question that has filled the thoughts of Galway United supporters for the last few, frenetic weeks when hope was restored to the system. Stylish victories and encouraging results have that kind of an effect on a football club.
And when the rain poured relentlessly from a grim grey sky on Saturday the upset seekers were offered further invitation to dream. Five possible starters mightn’t have been available for Galway, but occasionally in Cup football the weather can be a leveller. When the wind is of the woeful variety the challengers’ enthusiasm can soar and United were anxious to post another positive performance to their portfolio.
The first period captured why United have been so crafty and consistent since the August 30 shocker down in St Colman’s Park, when Cobh Ramblers were allowed inflict a brutal beating.
Ravaged with so many unavailable, Jeff Kenna was forced to tweak his team, and find his boots to marshall a raw United defence with Alan Keane, and they took care of their duties admirably. Even though the match mightn’t have been laced with drama there wasn’t a shortage of intrigue.
Early on it was Galway who were all urgent aggression as the Dyke Road wind howled furiously. The natives responded with applause rippling around the ground as Galway were showing character, and there were flashes of conviction in Galway’s play too as a thunderbolt John Lester free kick from distance provided an early test for Gerard Doherty.
Inevitably Lester was a prominent contributor in Galway’s spirited start winning headers and tackles by being a leader, while Ciaran Foley and Jesper Jorgensen buzzed around craving involvement.
Seamus Conneely, adapting to life at left full with customary grace, was proving adept at ghosting forward along the flank and from his blocked cross Jorgensen gathered possession, unleashing a dipping volley that crept inches wide.
Up top Vinny Faherty was productive as Clive Delaney and Marc McChrsytal were being forced to strain every sinew. Faherty’s willingness to work ensured Derry couldn’t find any rhythm as Galway’s enterprise in the centre of the park was stifling the visitors.
Then as the break approached a tidy, free flowing move which Lester launched culminated in a Jay O’Shea effort being deflected out for a corner as Galway continued to battle with zeal.
Surprisingly Derry didn’t seriously threaten until the 44th minute when Sammy Morrow rifled over following clever right-wing artistry from Gareth McGlynn. United, though, refused to be perturbed and by the time the interval rolled around Lester had chalked up a few more tackles to satisfy the Galwegians in the audience.
It mightn’t have been a classic 45 with opportunities scarce, but there was no denying Galway’s contentment as the teams filed for the dressing room for a merited sabbatical.
Renowned for their considerable Cup pedigree Derry stirred themselves in the third quarter. Alan Keane was alert to Niall McGinn’s intentions six minutes after the restart as the United defender nodded a wicked corner off the line. A scare it most certainly was, but Galway have been delivering without fear lately, and the riposte was sprinkled with determination.
O’Shea was now parading his prowess, while Lester fought courageously, but then the Galway rearguard was prised open in the 63rd minute.
McGlynn hooked the ball into Mark Farren’s path and the pacy striker stroked the Candystripes ahead with an immaculate finish before spinning off towards the gleeful visiting contingent. Footballers of Farren’s clinical ability are rare and the goal was converted with smooth opportunism.
Derek Glynn then was introduced and there was an injection of optimism again. A Lester cross deceived a thicket of bodies before spilling off Faherty’s shin and creeping wide.
Unfortunately it was Derry who probed thereafter, and they ought to have put some flesh on the advantage in the dying embers, but Gary Rogers made a string of smashing stops. Still sufficient Derry damage had been inflicted, and it is the Candystripes who will hit the RDS on November 23.
Galway United: Rogers; Synott, Kenna, A Keane, Conneely; J Keane, Foley (Glynn, 73 ), Lester, Jorgensen; O’Shea; Faherty.
Derry City: Doherty; McCallion, Delaney, McChrystal, Gray; McGlynn, Deery, Molloy, McGinn; Morrow (Stewart, 66 ), Farren.
Referee: A Kelly (Cork ).
