First Division clubs reaching the FAI Cup semi-finals is not that unusual.
Waterford and Treaty United did it last season, the Blues also managed it in 2021, Athlone were there the year before while UCD got to the last four in 2019.
What's true of all of those sides though is that they didn't manage to reach the final, with De Town shipping 11 goals to the Lilywhites three years ago.
Can this season be different?
Bohemian heading for an ambush?
Well Galway do look a different beast to any of the above teams. The Tribesmen have run away with the First Division this season, losing just two games so far, and their supporters are already looking forward to Premier Division soccer in 2024.
The buzz is there, the game sold out in advance, but might those same fans also have a European campaign on the horizon?
If they're to win the FAI Cup they'll have to beat two Premier Division sides but their form against Premier Division opposition in this run has been impressive. They dispatched with UCD, the side they will replace in the top flight next term, in impressive fashion at Belfield at the second time of asking.
Beating the Students in 2023 is one thing, but smashing in four goals against Dundalk in the quarters certainly sent out a statement of their potential.
David Hurley has scored 21 times this season, including two against UCD and another against Dundalk, so he's undoubtedly a danger man for the westerners.
Europe in their sights
Bohemians will head to Terryland later as favourites but well aware of just how dangerous their hosts are at the moment.
The Gypsies are going in search of their first major trophy in 15 years and, on top of that, the club will be determined to secure European soccer for the first time since 2021.
Declan Devine made a bright start to his first full season in charge at Dalymount Park but one win in six in the league means they're now battling to stay in the top four.
That victory did come in their most recent game against Sligo but it perfectly encapsulated the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the Gypsies of late. After a desperately poor opening 45 minutes, they found their groove and smashed in three goals in 30 second-half minutes.
Jon Afolabi is in sensational form at the moment. After a slow start to the season, where he only managed two goals in 18 games, he's scored 11 in his last 12, including a brace against the Bit 'o Red.
As well as the glory in winning the Cup, the guarantee of European qualification that it brings will undoubtedly playing on the minds of supporters as well.
Bohs
have a full squad to pick from, with Adam McDonnell returning from suspension.
Expert View
"Look at Galway's home form," Keith Treacy said on this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
"16 games and they've won 16, only conceding four goals in that time. It's an absolute fortress down there. John Caulfield will have them revved up and ready to go.
"Over the weekend I think we're going to see an upset and we're a lot more likely to see Galway beating Bohs than Cork beating Pat's."
On the same podcast Paul Corry suggested that the nature of Galway's quarter-final victory over Dundalk will mean Bohemians take nothing for granted against a side from the First Division.
"Everybody stood up and took notice after the quarter-final performance against Dundalk. I wonder will that performance and that result ensure that Bohs don't arrive up to Galway thinking they're already in an FAI Cup final?"
Can Cork stop Saints marching on?
Looking to the other semi-final tomorrow, St Patrick's Athletic's hopes of the league title were dealt a huge blow last Monday week when they were beaten at home by Drogheda.
Now six points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers with just four games to go, this cup semi-final has taken on even more importance as they look to get their hands back on the trophy they last won just two years ago.
In Chris Forester they have one of the best players in Ireland, capable of dictating the play and chipping in a with a goal when needed, while late Tommy Lonergan has also begun to find form of late.
Cork come into the game with just one win in their last eight in the league, and with their survival in the top flight likely to take them into the play-offs at this stage.
Their Cup wins this season have come against First Division sides Treaty, Waterford and Wexford, while their form against the Saints has been poor with three defeats, including one last Friday, and a draw from their top flight meetings this season.
Ruairí Keating has been their top scorer this campaign with 12 goals, including two in the Cup run so far.
Expert View
"It's very hard when you're not in form, and you're not finding consistency in your performances, to switch it up and find that [performance]," said Corry.
"The home crowd will be behind them, and it'll be a difficult place to go for St Pat's, but I do find it difficult to see how Cork, who haven't beaten Pat's this year, beat a team who are in better form."
Treacy added: "For me they're [Cork] bang on track in the league. They're not going straight down, so that's success number one.
"Can they stay up through the play-offs? That'll be success number two. If they can somehow get their fans to the Aviva then I think it's been a brilliant season.
"I do think Pat's will have too much for them but if I was to find out that Cork has won the game I wouldn't be too surprised."
Watch the Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-finals, Galway United v Bohemians (Saturday 2.30pm) and Cork City v St Patrick's Athletic (Sunday 2.30pm) on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player and follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
