- Finbarr O'Sullivan
- Tue, Sep 16 2008
Galway United have advanced to the Semi Finals of the FAI Cup after a convincing 2-0 win over Bray Wanderers in tonight's Quarter Final replay. Galway controlled the game from start to finish and it was ex-Bray winger Jay O'Shea who guided Galway into the semis.
Galway started the better and inside the fourth minute, they had a trio of chances. After Ciaran Foley’s pass, Jay O’Shea curled a shot from the edge of the area. His effort was palmed away single-handedly by keeper Alan Gough. The ball fell to Jesper Jorgensen but his shot was expertly saved by Gough again. Once more the ball fell to a Galway player. This time it was Jonathan Keane but his strike was blocked by a combination of Gough and Ray Kenny.
In the 28th minute, a one-two between John Lester and Jorgensen, saw the ball land with Lester inside the area. The midfielder blazed a shot well over from 15-yards out.
The Tribesmen broke the deadlock in the 37th minute. Once again, Foley and O’Shea combined on the edge of the area and O’Shea charged into a gap in the Bray defence. He across goal from six-yards out but when his effort struck the foot of the post, Jonathan Keane was on hand to collect the ball. After steadying himself, he smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Bray’s best chance of the first half came a minute before the break. Derek Pender and Ger Rowe linked up nicely on the right hand side of the penalty area. Rowe took the ball on and ran into the box. From 18-yards he struck the ball goalwards but the shot didn’t trouble Gary Rogers who saved comfortably.
Galway started the second half as they began the first and after Jorgensen shot inches wide from an O'Shea cross, it was clear they were going to finish the job in the second half. It only took eight minutes of the second half for Galway to double their lead. John Russell's ball down the left was collected by Jorgensen who moved into the middle of the park. He passed across the area to Jay O'Shea. O'Shea then ran at Gareth Cronin and after beating him he slotted the ball past the dive of Gough and into the bottom left corner from 18-yards.
A minute later Galway should have sealed the tie. Once again, O'Shea was involved as he ran down the right wing. From 25-yards he passed the ball into the area for Jorgensen. Jorgensen's step-over let the ball run to John Lester who was inside the box. He shot immediately but his strike went wide of the far post.
It didn't matter in the end as Bray failed to create any decent chances in the remaining 35 minutes. Galway remained in control and had a few half-chances but the tie was already decided.
Galway become the second side to reach the Semi Finals of the FAI Cup, along with Bohemians. They can still dream of lifting the cup for only the second time in their history, while Bray Wanderers will have to wait another year if they are to claim a third FAI Cup win.
Bray Wanderers: Alan Gough; Derek Pender, Kevin Doherty, Ray Kenny, Gary Cronin; Paddy Kavanagh (Paul Dunphy ‘71), Gavin Whelan, Alan Cawley (Daryl Robson 46), Mark Duggan; Andy Myler, Ger Rowe (Jake Kelly ‘60).
Subs not used: Chris O'Connor, Derek Foran, Colm Tresson, Aidan O'Keefe.
Booked: Duggan (40), Kenny (51), Cronin (53).
Galway United: Gary Rogers; Seamus Conneely, Marc McCulloch, John Fitzgerald, Alan Keane; Jay O’Shea (Levi Tierney ’81), John Russell (Derek Glynn ‘76), John Lester, Ciaran Foley, Jonathan Keane; Jesper Jorgensen (Vinny Faherty ‘87).
Subs not used: Alvin Rouse, Cian McBrien, Paul Sinnott, Jason Molloy.
Booked: A Keane (34), J Keane (90).
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).
Man of the match: Jay O'Shea (Galway United).
