They say in drama that a dress rehearsal is important because it is the final full-scale run-through where actors wear full costumes and makeup while testing all technical cues, props, and set changes in real time. And on Friday night in a dress rehearsal for their Men’s FAI Cup semi-final clash next month at Eamonn Deacy Park, a tired looking Galway United fell to a narrow defeat against Derry City, at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

This was United’s second game in a week, as they failed to back up their impressive 3-1 victory over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on the previous Monday night.

This fixture was incredibly the 4th venue Galway and Derry had played against each other at this season.

As both sides spent a section of the season playing in their GAA county grounds due to renovations at their traditional homes, the two outfits have now faced off at Celtic Park, Pearse Stadium, Eamonn Deacy Park and the Ryan McBride Brandywell in 2026.

In truth, this game was a scrappy affair, and one that the hosts unsurprisingly dominated possession in.

An Adam O’Reilly goal just before half-time was enough to secure all three points for the Candystripes.

The first chance of the contest came just after the 10th minute mark, but former Ringmahon Rangers player, O’Reilly saw his long range effort fly over the United crossbar.

Despite controlling the tempo of the contest, Mark Connolly’s team struggled to pierce through the Galway defence for the remainder of the opening 45 minutes.

The Tribesmen’s biggest chance of the half came midway through it, when Jimmy Keohane pounced on a Partick McClean mistake but his looping effort from the edge of the box, flew over the bar.

Moments later, the visitors came close again but Kris Twardek’s effort was blocked, and the ball went out for a corner kick.

As the half went on, John Caulfield’s men grew into the game, and deserved to be at least be level at the break.

On the stroke of half-time though, Derry hit the front, when O’Reilly finished the ball to the net from close range after a Michael Duffy cross was deflected into the Cork native’s path.

There is no doubt the westerners were extremely unlucky to be trailing at the interval, as they defended comfortably in the first half.

Unfortunately for United they were unable to maintain their strong opening half performance in the second half.

The hosts appeared to have gained confidence from the opening goal, and they started the second half on the front foot.

On two occasions in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, they came agonisingly close to doubling their lead.

Firstly, Michael Duffy’s effort from a free kick whistled past Hugo Da Cunha’s post, and then Duffy’s exquisite cross with the outside of his boot, just avaided two Derry attackers, who did everything to finish to an empty net.

The 2024 league runners up, were far more energetic and direct in the second period, and for large periods the men in maroon struggled to get out of their half.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, Caulfield made a triple substitution, as United went in search of an equaliser.

In truth, Galway looked leggy in the second half on Friday, which was understandable to a certain extent due to the huge effort given by United in Sligo a few days previous.

The visitors had claims for a penalty waved away late on, when they claimed a high boot had connected with Lee Devitt’s head in the penalty area.

The men from the Oakleaf county were very comfortable in the second period defensively, and probably should’ve won this game by a bigger margin.

They were able to call on some exceptional talent to come off the bench on Friday, such as former Bohs star, James Clarke.

United are back in action next Friday when they face Shelbourne, in their rearranged league fixture, following the postponement of the original fixture earlier in the season due to an unplayable surface at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Incredibly, this fixture was Derry’s final game until their cup semi-final at Galway three weeks later.

This will allow the Candystripes intensively prepare for the game at Terryland.

Following results on Friday, United still remain three points above the promotion/relegation playoff spot, and are now four points off 4th spot, which is a possible European spot. Incredibly, after a disastrous start to the season, Mark Connolly’s now occupy that 4th spot.

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