Galway United 0
Derry City 1

If prizes were handed out for effort and dedication to the cause, Galway United would no doubt be on the top step, but the indisputable class of Derry City saw them through to the FAI Cup decider at Terryland Park on Sunday.

A second-half Mark Farren strike was the difference between the sides as Derry pounced on their first chance of note, but the real story of the evening was the performance from an under-strength United.

The Tribesmen were dealt a severe blow in the build up to the game as captain John Fitzgerald, playmaker John Russell and left-back Marc McCulloch were all ruled out because of suspension. Jeff Kenna also had to plan without the cup-tied Iarflaith Davoren and Alan Murphy. United were indeed down to the bare bones.

Kenna brought himself into the side in place of Fitzgerald and Galway local Paul Sinnott was also introduced for his first start of the season.

Derry boss Stephen Kenny, however, had the luxury of naming an unchanged side from the excellent performance at Bohemians.

After some frantic opening exchanges of which United had the better, the home side almost took the lead after 18 minutes. Danish striker Jesper Jorgensen managed to control the dropping ball on his chest, but his 20-yard dipping-volley missed the rooted Gerard Doherty’s post by inches.

United once more came close after 38 minutes as Jay O’Shea managed to manufacture some space in the Derry area. With his back to goal, he twisted Clive Delaney inside out, but his effort grazed the base of the Derry post.

After being largely dormant for the opening half, Derry twice created chances on the verge of the break, first Delaney headed over a Niall McGinn corner and Sammy Morrow blasted over Gareth McGlynn’s cut-back under severe pressure from Sinnott.

After the break City almost took advantage of the blustery conditions as McGinn’s vicious in-swinging corner was inches from crossing the line – but Alan Keane somehow headed clear.

United continued to build up a head of steam with chances appearing for Faherty and Kenna, but on 64 minutes the Candystripes took the lead against the run of play. McGlynn flicked on Kevin Deery’s first-time ball into the path of Mark Farren, who found himself in space behind Alan Keane. Farren raced into the Galway area and his first-time shot off the right flew across Gary Rogers into the corner of the net sending the sizeable traveling support into raptures.

The home side had a guilt-edged chance to pull level with 12 minutes remaining, but Faherty’s attempt at the back post trickled wide after an outstanding cross from Jonathan Keane was deflected on it’s way to the striker.

Despite their efforts United were unable to breach the impressive Derry rear-guard in the hectic final few minutes as they desperately sought the equalizer.

After events Kenna was clearly disappointed with the result, but proud of the team’s display.

“Once you get to a semi-final you want to go that one step further, but credit to Derry. We threw everything at them but we just couldn’t get the goal,” he said.

“Not being disrespectful to anyone, but if we had the three suspended lads we might have had enough to beat them today, but we lacked that bit of quality up front.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the lads, they showed a tremendous effort but unfortunately we fell a bit short.”

Galway United: Rogers; Sinnott, A. Keane, Kenna, Conneely; J. Keane, Lester, Foley (Glynn, 73), Jorgensen; Faherty, O’Shea

Derry City: Doherty; McCallion, Delaney, McChrystal, Gray; McGlynn, Molloy, Deery, McGinn; Farren, Morrow (Stewart, 67)

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)

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