Keith Kelly

History will be made in Terryland Park tonight when the FAI Cup will see its first-ever Galway derby with Galway United hosting Salthill Devon in the Fourth Round of the competition (kick-off 7.45pm).

United go into the game as overwhelming favourites, with Sean Connor’s Premier Division side in a good run of form which has seen them win three of their last four league games, including a 2-0 win at the home of defending league champions, Bohemians, but Devon have found a bit of form themselves over the last month and will quietly fancy their chances of pulling off what would be the shock of the Cup this year.

They don’t have to look too far for inspiration either, as they came from 2-0 down in a League Cup tie between the sides last season, only to lose 5-3 on penalties. United looked to be cruising when Jay O’Shea and Declan Edwards had them two up after just 24 minutes, but they failed to close out the deal and allowed their neighbours back into the game in the second half.

All the football was played by Devon in the second half; Enda Dunne pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute, Marcin Marienek levelled matters eight minutes later, and Devon had chances to win it in both normal time and extra time before the lottery of penalties ended in United’s favour.

Devon manager Mike Quirke says tonight’s game will provide a nice distraction from the league for his side, and while he admits United are overwhelming favourites, the magic of the Cup means there is every chance of a shock in Terryland Park tonight.

“They are strong favourites, there’s no doubt about that, but we’ll give it a go. The one thing we’ll be looking for is a good performance from the lads, and we can worry about the result then.

“There is a chance they [United] could win handy enough, so we have to make sure we play as well as we can, give a good account of ourselves, and you never know in the Cup, anything can happen.

Devon’s first season in the Airtricity League has been all about giving youth its fling, such as when Colm Horgan made his debut for the club on what was his sixteenth birthday, making him one of the youngest players to ever play in the League of Ireland.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.