FAI Cup: Dundalk FC 2 - 1 Galway FC

A John Mountney piledriver booked Dundalk’s place in the FAI Cup quarter-finals after they overcame a stubborn Galway FC at Oriel Park.

That goal came after Donal McDermott had given them a first half lead (which should have been more) and although Padraic Cunningham’s late goal set up a grandstand finish, the Tribesmen could not find the second to force a replay.

The hosts were well on top throughout, hitting their stride immediately and never looking back. Sean Gannon drew a save from Ger Hanley after just two minutes and the right-back caused havoc throughout.

He threaded a delightful pass inside Marc Ludden shortly afterwards that just had too much fizz on it and carried through to the one-time Dundalk goalkeeper who had to be alert when David McMillan aimed to poke one past him on 14 minutes.

Former Manchester City man McDermott was next to try his luck for a confident Lilywhites outfit, thumping a free kick over the top before Hanley stepped up to deny Dundalk again on 24 minutes following a sublime move.

The vision and execution of Ruaidhri Higgins’ pass to Gannon was on point as was the defender’s pull back for Towell but his volley was met by a strong save from Hanley who gathered at the second attempt.

There was only so long Galway could hold out and on 28 minutes their resistance was broken. A quick throw from Towell caught them cold and Sean Gannon was on to it in a flash, cutting back for John Mountney.

His shot was blocked but McDermott pounced to ram the rebound and score his first goal for the club since arriving during the summer transfer window.

John Mountney was denied with a save on the stretch while Brian Gartland and McMillan both saw headers from corners (of which Dundalk won many) drift wide before the break.

The Mayo man was first to test Hanley on the restart and then he showed his fleet of foot to dance his way around the Tribesmen’s central defence and curling against the upright as the Town looked to put the game to bed.

Vinny Faherty, another ex-Dundalk men, was then well placed to head off his own goal-line as the incessant pressure continued, the men in purple rarely venturing beyond the halfway line and another McMillan header shaved the paint on the post.

On 72 minutes, the game was put beyond the plucky First Division visitors when Mountney collected the ball from 25 yards and unleashed a thunderbolt to the top corner of the net and look to make the closing stages comfortable for Dundalk.

But Galway substitute Cunningham had not read that script as with nine minutes of normal time left, he swooped after Gabriel Sava and Chris Shields got their wires crossed in the area and it left with him a simple finish to make the final moments nervier than they should have been but despite some late scares they gave the home crowd, an equaliser eluded them as Dundalk advance.

Dundalk: Gabriel Sava; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland (Dane Massey 79), Mark Rossiter, Chris Shields; Ruaidhri Higgins, Richie Towell; Donal McDermott (Keith Ward 69), John Mountney, Daryl Horgan (Marc Griffin 76), David McMillan.
Subs not used: Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Darren Meenan, Marc Griffin, Peter Cherrie (gk).

Galway FC: Ger Hanley; Colm Horgan, Alex Byrne, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, Paul Sinnott, Ryan Connolly (Robbie Egan 76), Jason Molloy; Jake Keegan (Padraic Cunningham 76), Vinny Faherty (Enda Curran 76).
Subs not used: Richard Egan, Ryan Manning, Cormac Rafferty, Conor Gleeson (gk).

Referee: Paul Tuite.

Attendance: 1,441

Man Of The Match: Sean Gannon (Dundalk).