Galway United's dream of a first FAI Cup win since 1991 – their only success in the competition – are still alive, though they were not impressive in disposing of non-leaguers Collinstown in Whitehall.
The outsiders, only in existence since 2007, gave an excellent account of themselves, especially considering that they are in pre-season. A Conor Barry brace did the needful for the struggling visitors, Collinstown having taken a shock lead through Jaime Ahearn.
Galway were relatively comfortable in the second half and had a late goal chalked off for offside, but the gulf in quality was not all that obvious at times.
Galway started brightly and Conor Melody drove at the hosts' defence, firing a shot wide from around 25 yards.
The opening goal came out of nothing on 11 minutes. Having failed to clear their lines, United went behind, striker Ahearn showing poacher's guile to guide home from just outside the box, low to Kevin Horgan's right.
United levelled within seconds, Barry tapping in from about eight yards after a terrible defensive mix-up cost the Neilstown side.
And Barry showed the type of quality United have been badly missing all season on 15 minutes, finding Melody on the right and firing home after the latter's clever cross.
The Portumna native really ought to have completed a hat-trick ten minutes before the break but, having engineered space in the box, his shot crashed off the foot of the post of home stopper Deccie Woods. In the next attack, Horgan smothered Ahearn's shot with ease.
Recent signing Stephen Christopher rode his luck ten minutes before the break when leaning a hand on Stephen Grogan, though it appeared that the latter went down rather willingly.
Ahearn was the hosts' chief threat and, after a lovely ball into him from former United midfielder Oscar Sibanda, Daniel Matthews crossed only for the striker to head wide, totally unmarked.
Vinny Faherty put Cristopher in just before the break, the ball running away from the winger.
The second half started with considerable action, Conor Melody missing two excellent chances before Grogan drove wide after fashioning a bit of space, United's rearguard not especially convincing.
Christopher was lively for the Connacht side and his superb hit from outside the box rattled the underside of the crossbar eight minutes into a really enjoyable second half.
Midway through the last 45, Barry tried to hook the ball in from a difficult angle, Collinstown living dangerously.
The hugely promising Colin Kelly got in on goal with four minutes remaining but Woods was alert to confront him and prevent a third.
Donal Higgins' excellent hooked effort went just wide in injury time, Galway finishing strongly.
Elsewhere, Premier Division club UCD beat Letterkenny Rovers 5-2 at the Bowl. The Students trailed early on to the Ulster Senior League side, but a Liam Kerrigan brace helped them to see out the game.
At Celbridge, Lucan overcame Killester with goals from Marco Chindea and Aji Sule, while efforts in either half from Shane Duggan and Kenny Browne helped Waterford overcome Maynooth University Town.
Collinstown: Woods; McNeill, Fitzpatrick, Carpenter, Nolan; McMahon, Sibanda (Doyle 82), Matthews, Grogan, Conway (Delaney 57); Ahearn.
Galway United: K Horgan; C Horgan, Lynch (Higgins 59), Brouder, Walsh; Melody, Nugent, Collins, Christopher; Barry (Kelly 74); Faherty (Costelloe 68).
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).
