Dave Cooke grabbed the only goal of an interesting game as EA Sports League Cup holders Derry City were nudged out of the competition at Terryland Park.
Winners for the past four seasons, Derry fielded an under-strength team, and the home side took maximum advantage, and ought to have emerged victorious by a greater margin.
Cooke struck in the 35th minute after Man of the Match Jay O’Shea’s free-kick had been blocked by the Derry wall.
O’Shea was pulling the strings impressively as Galway briskly assumed control against Derry’s collection of youngsters.
Twelve minutes in, O’Shea’s clever pass released Derek O’Brien, but the winger’s blistering cross was clawed to safety by Pat Jennings.
Galway were displaying grit to match the skill too, and a deserved lead goal was eventually bagged in the 35th minute.
O’Shea’s free-kick was blocked by the wall, but Dave Cooke reacted smartly to slam Galway ahead.
And Galway proceeded to boss the remainder of the opening period with Declan Edwards extracting a reflex save from Jennings, while O’Brien squeezed a shot wide following a smashing Michael McGrath delivery.
It was a similar story after the interval with Galway remaining in the ascendancy due largely to the promptings of O’Shea.
Cooke and Edwards both went close during a burst of Galway pressure before O’Shea smashed a glorious effort off the woodwork.
The missed chances didn’t matter as Galway defended with admirable solidity in the closing stages to book a quarter-final berth at the expense of The Candystripes, who have won the competition for the past four seasons.
Galway United: Ryan; Conneely, Guthrie, Breen, Davoren; Cooke (Faherty, 73) McBrien, McGrath (Russell, 70), O’Brien; O’Shea, Edwards (Molloy, 81).
Derry City: Jennings; Devlin (Clarke, 87), McEleney, Sharkey, McClean; Scullion, Higgins, McAuley, Kearney; McManus, Nash (Cusack, 82).
Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).
