Galway United 0-2 Derry City

Derry City snatched a place in the final of the eircom League Cup with a win over Galway United at Terryland Park thanks to late goals from Sammy Morrow and Niall McGinn. Galway will look back on a number of missed chances that could have seen them through as the game revolved around a series of penalty decisions.

Jeff Kenna again lined out in the heart of the Galway defence as he opted to start with only one recognised striker, new signing Jesper Jorgensen. Kenna was obviously looking to avoid a repeat of a nightmare half hour in their previous encounter which saw them four down in a flash. Stephen Kenny rang the changes with nine new faces in the side from the one that lost to Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

The first of the penalty incidents came as early as the 6th minute when Jorgensen outfoxed Eddie McCallion and charged into the box. The striker headed the ball past Darren Quigley, who collided with the Dane, but referee Mark Gough’s interpretation mystified the home fans as he awarded a goal kick.

The striker picked himself up after receiving attention and proceeded to give a fine display. John Russell advanced into a more attacking role as John Lester and Ciaran Foley battled well in the middle of the park. Galway had Marc McCulloch’s outstretched leg to thank for keeping Gareth McGlynn at bay in the 28th minute before Galway forced a string of corners from which John Fitzgerald came closest to opening the scoring with a well struck volley.

Jorgensen almost pounced on a rebound from Russell’s long range effort but Quigley reacted smartly to smother his effort. Morrow then had Derry’s clearest chance of the half but Rogers got the slightest of touches to divert the ball behind. Gough continued his rich vein of decision making by awarding a goal-kick.

Derry had been sluggish in the first half but emerged a more potent threat in the second. Barry Molloy and Niall McGinn, who had been introduced for the injured Ciaran Martyn, tried their luck from distance before Morrow had a goal ruled out for offside in the 55th minute.

John Lester then had a header well saved by Quigley before Gough correctly awarded two penalties in the space of four minutes. Both went the way of the visitors. In the 68th minute Seamus Conneely aimed to clear the ball but McGlynn nipped in first and was brought down. Mark Farren stepped up confidently, but the biggest roar of the evening erupted when Rogers dived to his left to keep the scores level.

Farren was relived of the duties when Fitzgerald handled McGinn’s attempted cross for the second spot kick on 72 minutes. Morrow sent the keeper the wrong way this time and Derry were now armed with a precious lead. Galway toiled bravely but McGinn settled the contest with a neat finish following a swift counter attack with five minutes remaining.

Galway United: Gary Rogers; Marc McCulloch, Jeff Kenna (Jason Molloy 74), John Fitzgerald, Seamus Conneely; Jay O'Shea, John Lester, John Russell (Derek Glynn 85), Iarfhlaith Davoren; Ciaran Foley, Jesper Jorgensen (Cian McBrien 85).
Subs not used: Alvin Rouse, Paul Sinnott.

Derry City: Darren Quigley; Eddie McCallion, Sean Hargan, Mark McChrystal, Aaron Callaghan; Gareth McGlynn, Ciaran Martyn (Niall McGinn, 36), Barry Molloy, Owen Morrison (Mark Farren, 64); Kevin McHugh, Sammy Morrow (Ruaidhri Higgins, 85).
Subs not used: Ger Doherty, Thomas Stewart.

Referee: Mark Gough.

Attendance: 1,750 (estimate).