FAI Cup Preview: Galway -v- DLR Waves

Galway WFC celebrate Anna Fahey's winning goal during their 2-1 win over Athlone Town at Athlone Town Stadium on Tuesday, 3 August 2021.

Galway WFC celebrate Anna Fahey's winning goal during their 2-1 win over Athlone Town at Athlone Town Stadium on Tuesday, 3 August 2021. Credit: Gerry Shanahan (ETPhotos)

GALWAY

DLR Waves will be aiming to secure a place in the Women’s FAI Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2018 when they make the trip to Eamonn Deacy Park to face Galway on Saturday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

On the other hand, the Tribeswomen haven’t made it to the final four of the competition since 2019 and with the side firmly stuck in the middle of the WNL table they will be looking keep their dreams of silverware alive with a win on Saturday.

Stephen Lally’s side are unbeaten in two WNL games coming into this weekend with an impressive 6-1 win over Cork City two weeks ago and a scoreless draw with Bohemians last Saturday.

Galway had the bulk of the possession and the clear-cut chances, but they misfired at every opportunity and just could not put the ball in the net against Bohemians, that’s something they will have to rectify if they want to get the win against a strong Waves side.

Despite their troubles in front of goal last weekend, that Cork City game showed the threat Galway pose is well spread across their team with Emma Starr scoring twice and Chloe Singleton, Kate Slevin, Aofie Thompson and Elle O’Flaherty all able to put the ball in the net two weeks ago.

DLR WAVES

Waves are in a similar position to Galway at this stage of the season in that they will not be mounting a serious title challenge this year, but a win on Saturday keeps a chance at some silverware alive for the Dublin club.

Graham Kelly’s side should come to Galway expecting to have every chance at securing their place in the next round, having beaten Galway twice already this season.

Their most recent outing against Galway was in July where a brace from Katie Malone was enough to give Waves the three points at Eamonn Deacy Park in July.



Waves are also coming into this weekend off the back of a big 5-2 win over Treaty United last Saturday in the WNL and they’ve already had to play in an earlier round of the FAI Cup where they secured a 3-0 win over Bohemians to book their place in the quarter finals.

Carla McManus, Rachel Doyle and Ciara Maher were the goal scorers in Dalymount when they knocked the Gypsies out of the competition in August.

Referee: Daniel Murphy

MATCH STATS

Waves have already played one round in this year’s FAI Cup competition; they saw off Bohemians 3-0 at Dalymount Park last month.

Galway are on a two-game unbeaten run coming into Saturday’s fixture.



Graham Kelly’s side have beaten Galway twice this season already when the teams met in the Women’s National League.

PREDICTION

Galway 1–0 DLR Waves

Galway

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

DLR Waves

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.