Da Cunha the hero as Galway edge shootout battle with Bray

Galway United goalkeeper Hugo Pires da Cunha celebrates after saving a penalty from Richard Ferizaj. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Hugo Pires da Cunha was the hero for Galway United as the Tribesmen avoided a shock defeat at the hands of Bray Wanderers in the FAI Cup Third Round at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Galway made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 at home to Drogheda last week which included a debut for new signing Anthony O’Connor, and the Tribesmen came close to opening the scoring on 15 minutes when a Jimmy Keohane free-kick on the edge of the box was deflected into the path of David Hurley, his left-foot curled shot rattling the Bray crossbar before being cleared from danger.

The Seagulls came under constant pressure and were again saved twice by the woodwork in the opening half, firstly when a Stephen Walsh header from point blank range was grazed agonisingly off the top of the bar, before Francely Lomboto’s shot from a narrow angle was drilled off the post and wide much to the relief of the travelling Bray fans who were happy to enter the half-time break with the game still scoreless.

Galway resumed on the front foot with efforts from Bolger and McCarthy comfortably dealt with by the Bray defence; however, it was Wanderers who came closest to breaking the deadlock when a cleverly worked short corner created space for Dean O’Shea but the former United man could only fire his effort high and wide of the target.

The away side continued to grow in confidence as both sides made a number of changes around the hour mark, and it was Heffernan’s changes that proved instrumental when substitutes Jamie Ryan and Tyreik Sammy linked up for the latter to strike home from long-range and give Wanderers a crucial lead with 10 minutes remaining.

The Tribesmen responded immediately, and their pressure paid off just minutes later when substitute Lee Devitt raced clear down the left before cutting the ball back into the path of Hurley, who made no mistake in drilling a powerful finish into the bottom-right corner to send the Galway supporters into raptures and force the game into extra-time.

The battle of Deacy Park ensured neither side was able to produce an all-important winner, with substitute Richard Ferizaj coming closest to bagging a late Bray winner but his strike sailed high and wide as referee Paul McLaughlin’s whistle signalled the game would be decided by a penalty shootout as the drama continued in Galway.

Hurley stepped up to convert the home side’s opening spot-kick, setting the tone for the shootout as Pierrot, Keohane, Devitt and Connolly all scored. 

United keeper Hugo Pires da Cunha was the hero as his save from Richard Ferizaj booked the Tribesmen’s place in the FAI Cup Fourth Round and denied Bray a valiant victory in Terryland.

Galway United: Da Cunha; O’Connor (Barratt 52’), Kavanagh, Facchineri (Williams 90’), Keohane, Bolger, Hurley, Twardek (Devitt 63’), McCarthy (Kazeem 63’), Lomboto (Connolly 76’), Walsh (Pierrot 63’).

Bray Wanderers: Hogan; Kizenga (Knight 99’), Fagbemi, Osagie, O’Shea, Duggan, Sesay (Ryan 63’), Tucker (Ferizaj 63’), McCormack (Cheese 110’), Achara (Sammy 75’), Mustall (Oluwabiyi 75’).

Referee: Paul McLoughlin