5pm 4 May 2026
League of Ireland, Premier Division
Derry City 1 Galway United 1 (att 4,324)
I've twice been to Derry City's Brandywell ground, first in 1995 and then a return two years later. Just along the same road is Celtic Park, the city's GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) stadium, and currently a temporary home for the club.
While the Brandywell pitch is being replaced Derry City are playing a handful of fixtures at Celtic Park. Apparently it's the first time 'soccer' has been played there for 114 years.
Like other GAA county grounds, Celtic Park is an impressive venue. A seated stand runs the length of one side, and the opposite side is open terracing. There's more terracing behind the far goal, closed for this game, while the other end has changing rooms and offices.
It's a fine venue that's worth the effort of travelling to Northern Ireland. This bank holiday game, with a 5pm kick off making it ideal for a day trip, was the second of five matches scheduled for Celtic Park.
It wasn't the best of games, although it did liven up considerably in the second half. In the opening 45 minutes neither team created much, but Galway edged ahead just before the break when the hosts conceded a messy own goal.
Galway set out to defend their advantage in the second half, occasionally threatening on the break. It looked as if they'd hold on, until stoppage time when just-introduced Derry sub Kevin dos Santos scored an excellent equaliser.
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