Galway United face Drogheda United in a important FAI Cup quarter-final at Sullivan and Lambe Park on Thursday night. The match kicks off at 7.45pm as the Tribesmen look to advance in a competition they last won in 1991, a victory sealed by Johnny Glynn's late goal against Shamrock Rovers. According to a preview from RTÉ, this is one of four quarter-final ties taking place this week.
How have Galway United performed recently?
John Russell's side enter this cup clash on the back of a solid, if unspectacular, run of form. Their last result was a 1-1 home draw with Shelbourne on August 28th, a match where Jimmy Keohane scored a late equaliser for the visitors. That result extended Galway United's unbeaten streak to five games, though all of those have been draws. Their recent form reads as five consecutive stalemates, a run that has seen them consolidate a seventh-place position in the Premier Division. With 34 points from 28 games, their record stands at eight wins, ten draws, and ten losses. They have scored 36 goals and conceded 42, giving them a -6 goal difference, and they currently sit 21 points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers. Fans can track the team's progress in the standings.
What is the history between these two sides?
This quarter-final is the fourth meeting between the clubs this season. The previous three encounters have been tightly contested, with Drogheda United winning one, Galway United winning one, and the other finishing as a scoreless draw. In the league table, Drogheda currently trail Galway by six points. The visitors will be without defender Owen Lambe due to injury and suspended midfielder Jason Bucknor. Drogheda are managed by Kevin Doherty, who led the Louth club to glory over Derry City in the 2024 FAI Cup final and a week later guided them past Bray Wanderers in the promotion/relegation play-off to secure their top-flight status.
What are the other FAI Cup quarter-final fixtures?
The cup action is spread across the week, featuring several other compelling ties. Waterford, who are unbeaten in their last ten games and have climbed from the bottom to eighth in the table, host Sligo Rovers. Manager Graham Coughlan praised his team, saying, "They were excellent at Richmond Park last week, coming away with a fully deserved 2-0 victory over St Pat's." Waterford's last FAI Cup win was in 1980, when Brian Gardner scored the only goal against St Patrick's Athletic. Another quarter-final sees Derry City take on Dundalk, a match broadcast on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player. The tie between St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians is also being shown on the same channels.
What is happening in the league this week?
While the cup takes centre stage, a major Premier Division fixture is also scheduled. Shamrock Rovers host Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium in an 8pm kick-off. Stephen Bradley's Rovers side have a game in hand and can move eight points clear at the summit with a victory. They welcome back Dan Cleary and John McGovern from the side that drew at Derry City, and striker Jonathan Afolabi is available after a knock. Danny Grant and Victor Ozhianvuna remain sidelined. John Russell's Shelbourne, sitting fifth, are looking to bounce back from the late draw in Galway. They will be without John Martin due to a calf issue, but Rodrigo Freitas returns from suspension, and Sam Bone is nearing a return to fitness.
Galway United's focus now shifts entirely to the cup, with their next league fixture not until September 11th, when they host third-placed Bohemians. You can view the full schedule on the club's fixtures page. The quest to emulate the 1991 heroes begins anew under the lights at Sullivan and Lambe Park.
