Galway Utd are back in the FAI Cup semi-finals for the first time in 15 years after blowing Dundalk away at Eamonn Deacy Park with a stunning first-half display.
The First Division leaders, who now need just a point to secure their Premier Divison return following Cobh Ramblers' win away to Waterford, were full value for their 4-0 lead at the break courtesy of goals from Stephen Walsh, Ed McCarthy, Maurice Nugent and David Hurley.
John Caulfield’s side can now begin dreaming of a first Cup final appearance since their one and only win in the competition in 1991. The Tribesmen’s direct play was too much for the Louth men to deal with as they clocked up a record equalling win against a side they hadn’t beaten in eight previous attempts in the Cup.
This defeat was an embarrassment for Stephen O’Donnell on his return home to his native Galway and it leaves his side’s season hanging by a thread as they must now pick themselves up to try to salvage European football through the league.
The visitors almost hit the front on four minutes when Johannes Yli-Kokko picked out the inrushing Daryl Horgan but the Galwegian’s strike was brilliantly kept out by a strong left arm from Brendan Clarke. That was to prove a crucial save as the Tribesmen hit the front on eight minutes.
After Darragh Leahy had fouled Wassim Aouachria, Hurley’s free to the back post was headed to the bottom right hand corner by the unmarked Walsh. It looked like the visitors had douled their lead three minutes later when Nugent headed home but referee David Dunne ruled it out for a foul on Darren Brownlie.
After Patrick Hoban had an effort blocked by Vincent Borden from Leahy’s short corner, Galway did double their lead on 20 minutes with McCarthy heading home from Hurley’s delivery to the back post. Borden was then denied by Shepperd six minutes later but the third goal did arrive on the half hour mark with Nugent tapping home after the Dundalk defence failed to deal with Hurley’s corner.
O’Donnell reacted to that concession by making a triple change on 36 minutes but his side’s night went from bad to worse when Hurley added a fourth from the spot three minutes later after one of those changes, Robbie McCourt, had tripped Aodh Dervin.
The visitors did have efforts from substitutes Greg Sloggett and Robbie Benson blocked in the opening seconds of the second half but they only the offside flag prevented them falling further behind on 54 minutes after Killian Brouder had put the ball in the net.
Brouder would go close again when he reacted to Borden’s flick on from Hurley’s free kick on 69 minutes but it was tamely at Nathan Shepperd on this occasion.Hayden Muller then prevented another big chance for the home side when he cleared off the line after Francely Lomboto’s effort was partially saved two minutes later.
Ryan O’Kane did have an effort turned around the post by Clarke moments later before McCourt blazed over after being slipped in by the winger seven minutes from the end.It remains to be seen where this Cup journey will go for Galway but this is a night that will never be forgotten at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Galway Utd: Brendan Clarke; Conor McCormack, Maurice Nugent, Killian Brouder, Rob Slevin; Aodh Dervin (Oisin O’Reilly 89), Vincent Borden, David Hurley, Ed McCarthy (Conor O’Keeffe 89); Stephen Walsh (Rob Manley 92), Wassim Aouachria (Francely Lomboto 70).
Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Archie Davies, Darren Brownlie (Cameron Elliott 57), Darragh Leahy (Greg Sloggett 36), Hayden Muller; Connor Malley (Robbie McCourt 36), Daryl Horgan, Johannes Yli-Kokko (Robbie Benson 36); Daniel Kelly, Patrick Hoban, Sam Durrant (Ryan O’Kane 69).Referee: David Dunne (Dublin).
