Bohemian Football Club Crest

@bfcdublin Bohemians will consider themselves unfortunate in defeat to Galway United, who struck the winner on the hour mark. Shane Quinn reports ...

After Seán Connor’s men failed to win in their first three games, this was quite an upset highlighted by bookmakers quoting the Tribesmen as 11/2 underdogs beforehand. Bohs still remain in second place,  just three points behind Shamrock Rovers, who were held to a scoreless draw in Derry.

Alan Kelly, Ireland’s most senior referee, who officiates at World Cup qualifying games and Champions League matches, was once more in charge at Dalymount Park. In stark contrast to fiery past encounters between Connor’s teams and the Gyspies, there was not one yellow card administered by Kelly here.

This game began in decidedly quiet fashion before sparking into life in the 16th minute. Killian Brennan was allowed to dribble right across the area and his subsequent reverse shot breezed a foot past Greg Fleming’s right-hand post. 

With the Galway defence employing a high line policy, Bohs were always hopeful of making the breakthrough. Having a rearguard so far up the pitch in a bid to play offside is akin to Russian roulette. Should one defender lose concentration it often results in disaster; eventually during a long season the tactic catches up on sides. Tonight, after some close calls, Galway got away with it.

Bohs suffered quite a scare on 37 minutes when three defenders failed to intercept Paul Sinnott’s delivery toward Joseph Yoffe. The striker did not get the required purchase on his shot, but despite his scuff, the ball drifted inches wide of the post, with keeper Barry Murphy motionless.

Bohs were then to suffer another scare at the end of a first half in which they struggled to create chances. Brian Cash circumvented the daunting presence of Owen Heary, and supplied a fine delivery to Yoffe whose glancing header skid a yard wide.

As the second half ticked along, Brennan came even closer to breaking the deadlock 55 minutes in. With the Louthman having surged through the middle, his resulting shot took a nick off defender Shaun Maher and landed six inches wide of the right-hand post.

Just as it seemed Bohs were gaining a grip on this contest, Yoffe struck to stun Dalymount Park. The attacker showed outstanding composure to ride two challenges in the six-yard box before finding the net with his finish (60).

As expected, Bohs rallied. The substitute David Lodola passed up a golden chance to equalise in the 70th minute after Ollie Cahill located him with a precision cross. Lodola evaded his marker and rose well but steered his downward header well wide.

Galway made a rare foray into their opponents’ half. Murphy had to produce a stunning save when his namesake Alan Murphy hit a powerful long-range effort, which the stopper tipped over the crossbar.

That was merely an intervention into a late onslaught by Bohs that included two headers from substitutes Lee Dixon and Keith Buckley which drew excellent saves from Fleming. A draw would have represented a fair result, but in football sometimes you don’t get what you deserve.

Bohemians: B Murphy; Heary (C), Burns, Price, Cahill; Rossiter, Brennan, Bayly (Dixon, 61), Burke; Flood (Lodola, 61) Traynor (Buckley, 86)

Galway United: Fleming; Sinnott (C), Maher, Cash, Walsh; Ryan, Kelly, Curran, Moore; A Murphy, Yoffe (Curran, 78, Kelly, 90)

Possession – Bohs: 56% Galway: 44%
Attempts on target – Bohs: 2 Galway: 3
Attempts off target – Bohs: 3 Galway: 4
Corners – Bohs: 9 Galway: 2
Bookings – Bohs: None Galway: None
Sendings off – Bohs: None Galway: None

Referee – Alan Kelly (Cork)

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