Following their defeat to Shamrock Rovers before the international break, Galway United manager John Caulfield stated that he was confident that his side could defeat an underperforming Derry City side on Friday night, and he was right to feel confident as Galway picked up all three points at Eamonn Deacy Park.

And while the tribesmen tested the patience of their followers against the Candystripes at times with their defending, they delivered the goods in the second half, to pick up an important victory.

In this physical affair at Terryland, the away side started brightly, and they almost took the lead inside the opening minute, but Brandon Fleming’s effort went narrowly wide.

To their credit, the 2023 First Division champions reacted well, and they took the lead in the 17^th minute, when Hurley unleashed an incredible right footed volley to the back of the City net from well outside the penalty box. The Cork native’s initial effort from a free kick was blocked by the Derry defence.

The contest was evenly balanced for the remainder of the half, with former United player, Rob Slevin hitting the post for Derry with a header just prior to the half-time whistle.

In the 63^rd minute, the away side equalised. James Clarke weaved his way through the hosts defence, before he finished past Evan Watts in the Galway goal.

With just under 10 minutes remaining, the tribesmen struck the all-important winner. The Ulster men lost the ball in the Galway half, before Matthew Wolfe slipped in fellow substitute, Pierrot to give Galway the lead.  

The 2024 FAI Cup finalists pushed for an equaliser late on, but it was Caulfield’s side who deservedly held on for all three points.

It was clear the absence of Michael Duffy and James McClean effected the visitors, as they lacked a cutting edge in attack.

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