European qualification was the furthest thing from Derry City captain Michael Duffy’s mind before Saturday’s 2-0 win over Galway United in the FAI Cup semi-final.

Behemians’ 2-0 defeat by Waterford in Friday’s first semi-final means there will not be an added European place available through the league, but this was an irrelevance for Mark Connolly’s men.

Instead, reaching the cup final was all that mattered and should they defeat Waterford in the final on 8 November and reach Europe by this route, it will be a nice bonus but silverware is the primary objective.

It has been a turbulent campaign for City with interim boss Connolly stepping in after the dismissal of Tiernan Lynch in August, but they are now just 90 minutes away from the club’s seventh cup win and first since 2022.

“You don’t look at a cup like ‘let’s win the cup for Europe’,” Duffy told BBC Sport NI.

“It’s a cup, you want to win trophies and be successful here.

“It was all about getting to the final to win a cup, so it didn’t add any pressure.

“We said that before, forget about Europe and that result last night as it means nothing – just go and get to the final and try to win the cup.”

Duffy scored both goals in Derry’s win at Eamonn Deacy Park to send his side into the final and was understandably emotional at the final whistle, aware that ” it was so importnat we got to the final this year”.

“It’s been a tough year all round,” he continued.

“Now we can get a real buzz around the town this month, build it up and get that good feeling back between us all. We’ve a brilliant day to look for ward to.”

Derry City’s form has imporved since Connolly’s appointment in August as they have removed any fears of relegation while reaching the cup final.

Duffy praised the impact of the former defender who he feels has liberated the team to express themselves on the pitch.

“He’s letting us play free-flowing football, encouraging all the defenders to try and play football as we’re all good players,” Duffy said.

“He wants us to take risks and we’re constantly doing that every day in training. Before matches he’s saying that if we lose the ball, that’s on him.

“He’s enclouraging us so much and it’s so enjoyable to play in. I think you can see that in these last few weeks were we are dominant and playing some nice football, but the main thing is players are digging in massively.

“You can see on the pitch it means everything to every player.”

Duffy can now look forward to what he feels will be a “proud day” when he leads his home-town club out at the Aviva Stadium.

Waterford will provide the opposition following their victory over Bohemians and Duffy is expecting a tough task against Graham Coughlan’s side.

“Our games against Waterford this year have all been tough,” noted.

“They are a hard team to play against so it will be a hard game, but we look forward to it now.

“I can’t wait for it, so hopefully walk out with my wee man [son] as well, so it will be a special day and something to look forward to.

“Hopefully I’ll be bringing that cup back to Derry.”