Derry City are another step closer to what would be a remarkable fourth League Cup success in a row.

The reigning champions made hard work of disposing of Galway United in last night’s semi-final but emerged worthy winners in the end.

It took them until the 72nd minute to make the breakthrough when Sammy Morrow scored the first goal since making his comeback after almost a year out with injury, from the penalty spot.

It was no more than the superior Derry team deserved but it was a relief to see the striker’s clinical penalty hit the back of the net.

Niall McGinn made sure of Derry’s place in the final when he added a second seven minutes from time.

When Derry were last at Terryland Park less than a fortnight ago in the league they were four goals to the good inside half and hour but Galway made them work much harder this time around.

And thoughts of Friday night’s league defeat by Shamrock Rovers when Derry dominated at the Brandywell but fell to a goal on the counter attack in the closing stages must have entered the players’ heads.

But they stuck at their task and got their reward when the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Morrow did the rest.

City boss Stephen Kenny, like most managers, has made a point of using squad players throughout the League Cup campaign and the players have responded well to the challenge.

If they can go on to the retain the trophy it will be the ninth time they have won it.

Last year they needed to win the League Cup to secure a place in

the Setanta Cup, a task they accomplished in style to win the competition for the third year in a row.

Going on to lift the trophy for a fourth successive time would be unprecedented in the League of Ireland.

Kenny has not given up of his side’s chances of catching leaders Bohemians in the league but realistically it is in the cup competitions that Derry are likely to taste glory this season.

They are still in the FAI Cup and in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Setanta Cup for the first time.