A GOAL by Paul Thornton early in the second half was sufficient to book Galway United's place in the last eight of the FAI Cup at Terryland Park last night.

It is the first time in eight seasons that Galway have reached this stage of the competition and the win was richly deserved in front of a crowd of 900.

The home side attacked from the start and in the 11th minute Adrian Cregg was foiled by goalkeeper Paul Whelan from close range.

Ian Rossiter quickly followed up with a long-range shot but it lacked direction. The home side's onslaught continued with zest and after 26 minutes Aubrey Dolan unleashed a 18-yard drive but Whelan was again equal to the task.

Nine minutes before the interval Rossiter set up a perfect cross for the in-rushing Paul Thornton but again Whelan showed his alertness to save his headed effort. Gareth Gorman followed with a free kick from the right but Michael Keane's header went tamely over.

United struck for the vital goal in the 49th minute when Gareth Gorman floated the perfect cross from the left which was met by the head of Eric Lavine and though the ball was parried by Whelan, it went into the path of 19-year-old Thornton who struck his first goal for the club. Home Farm's Tom McGauley was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 74th minute as United continued to attack. With five minutes remaining Michael Keane just failed to get a touch on a Daragh Sheridan cross.

The visitors' best chance came at the start of injury time when Darrell Mooney's effort from 10 yards sailed wide.

Galway United: Cobey; Rossiter, Carter, Clery, Quirke, Lavine, Dolan, Keane, Gorman, Thornton, Cregg. Subs: Sheridan for Cregg (67 mins), Neary for Gorman (85 mins), McNamara for Lavine (89 mins).

Home Farm Everton: Whelan; Keenan, England, Fitzpatrick, Costigan, Gleeson, Mooney, Byrne, McGauley, Farrell, Drew. Subs: Moore for Fitzpatrick (64 mins), Benson for Drew (76 mins), Kierans for Gleeson (87 mins).

Referee: T Tully (Cork).