Derry City travel to face Galway United this Saturday in the FAI Cup semi-final, with a place in the final at stake. The match at Eamonn Deacy Park kicks off at 3pm local time, offering Derry a chance to reach the showpiece for the first time since they last won the competition in 2022.
Derry City enter the tie in strong form, unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions. Their most recent outing was a 1-0 Premier Division victory over this weekend's opponents on September 18, secured by a late Adam O'Reilly goal. That result is part of a wider run that has seen them take 11 points from a possible 15 in the league, a sequence you can review on our standings page. They currently sit fourth in the Premier Division with 41 points from 32 games.
The recent meetings between these sides have been closely contested. While Galway United won both league encounters earlier in the season, Derry City's victory last month levelled the head-to-head for 2026. Historically, Derry have won on both of their previous visits to Eamonn Deacy Park.
For six-time winners Derry City, this is a familiar stage, having reached the semi-finals in both 2023 and 2024. They will be desperate to go one step further this time. Manager John Caulfield has acknowledged Derry's quality but has called on home supporters to create a vocal atmosphere to push his team on.
Derry City's attack will be led by top scorer Michael Duffy, who has 12 goals this season. The team's last starting lineup featured a back three of Cameron Dummigan, Jack Stott, and Patrick McClean. Galway United's recent setup has seen captain Jimmy Keohane and vice-captain David Hurley in midfield, with both players stressing the need to treat this match like any other.
Derry City will look to carry their positive momentum into this knockout tie before turning their attention back to league action, where they host second-placed St Patrick's Athletic next week.
