Galway hammer Dundalk to sail into FAI Cup semi-final

FAI Cup quarter-final

Galway United 4 Dundalk 0

Galway United rode the crest of a wave into the FAI Cup Semi-Final with a rampant display on a delirious Dyke Road, downing their decorated opponents.

Stephen O’ Donnell’s decision to make a triple substitution in the 34th minute summed up the tidal wave his side had faced. They were already 3-0 down and it would get worse.

The United juggernaut got going early. Stephen Walsh headed a David Hurley free-kick home at the back stick as the Dundalk defenders were caught on their heels.

The first few minutes hadn’t warned of the coming storm. Daryl Horgan and Patrick Hoban looked ominous and both went close.

Yet it was only some tight calls that kept a stunned Dundalk in the tie in the first quarter. A Maurice Nugent header was ruled out, Aodh Dervin was called back when he was through on goal and Wassim Auoachria was aggrieved not to have had a penalty.

Nonetheless, the levees eventually broke inside a febrile 20 minutes. A superb delivery from David Hurley was nodded in by Ed McCarthy for a deserved second.

A set-piece moments later brought the third. Dundalk, scrambling against United’s physicality all night could only clear as far as Nugent who coolly volleyed through the crowd for 3-0.

The fourth came when the industrious Aodh Dervin tangled in the box with Hayden Muller. Somewhat fortuitous, the spot-kick left nothing to chance. Hurley emphasising a magnificent performance with an unstoppable drive.

The second-half was a far more ordinary game of football. United did have a second disallowed when Killian Brouder was ruled offside. Outside of that Dundalk were much improved. They showed desire to get forward and had some half-chances.

It was all in vein however as the