Galway United 2

Derry City 3

By Mike Rafferty at Eamonn Deacy Park

THE cloak of invincibility about Galway United at home has slipped recently as they suffered their second defeat in succession at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.

On a filthy wet night on the Dyke Road, United spent the contest chasing a Derry side who belied their lowly position in the League of Ireland and probably deserved the full quota of points on offer.

Galway United are proud of their defensive prowess, but the concession of three goals on this occasion brought an end to an outstanding record going back to November 2022, when they last conceded three in a match.

In the meantime they went 81 games, having not conceded more than two goals in a competitive match and, in fairness, only for they were chasing the game in the latter stages, they would have not conceded a third on this occasion either.

However, they will not look on this as the losing of the game, but to a two minute spell just after the restart when Robbie Benson put Derry ahead for the second time and that goal was quickly followed by the dismissal of United midfielder Cian Byrne for a second yellow card offence.

Despite their reduction to ten men, the home side were the more impressive performers thereafter, but just could not break down a Derry defence that looked to be just as strong and physical as the home back four.

Manager John Caulfield made one change to the side that recorded a 2-1 away success over Sligo Rovers the previous week – striker Moses Dyer returned from suspension to lead the line as he replaced David Hurley.

The game also necessitated a tactical tweak, with defender Jeannot Esua having to spend all his evening on defensive duties as he tried to curtail the game’s most impressive performer in Michael Duffy.

The winger was an elusive character as he carried almost all of Derry’s threat on his shoulders and he was central to everything from an offensive point of view. With Duffy’s trademark style of cutting infield, an early effort tested United custodian Evan Watts, before Benson had an effort deflected out for a corner.

Pictured: Jimmy Keohane of Galway United comes under pressure from Derry City’s Michael Duffy during Friday night’s Premier Division encounter at Eamonn Deacy Park. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.