Bohemian Football Club Crest

@bfcdublin Bohemians continued their good run of form with a comfortable victory over basement club Galway United at a rain-soaked Terryland Park on Friday, Kevin Fagan reports.  

A brace from Christy Fagan followed a sublime Killian Brennan free-kick as the Gypsies kept the pressure on the teams above them in the Airtricity League Premier Division.

The game was still in the balance when referee Rob Rogers gave Galway’s Stephen Walsh his marching orders just before the hour. Within a minute, Bohs doubled their advantage and the game was over as a contest.

The much maligned home side started the game brightly.  New manager John “Jumbo” Brennan had his men fired up and they won the first few 50-50 exchanges.

Their early good work was undone on nine minutes, however, by a piece of brilliance from Bohs’ talisman Brennan. Keith Buckley was fouled 30 yards from goal and Brennan smashed the free-kick into the top corner. Galway keeper Conor Winn tried to get near it, but had no chance of stopping the thunderbolt.  

Just two minutes later, Walsh lunged in on Liam Burns (below), injuring the big centre-half.  Burns tried to play on but was replaced by Ollie Cahill.  Pat Fenlon will be sweating over Burns’ fitness with crucial league games and an FAI Cup semi-final coming up.  

Galway’s best moment came on 16 minutes. Right-back Paul Sinnott ventured forward, played a one-two with Oscar Sibanda and unleashed a cracking shot.  Bohs keeper Barry Murphy reacted brilliantly to push the ball onto the crossbar. Unfortunately for Galway, it was the only time in the 90 minutes that Murphy was tested.

Bohs controlled most of the first half possession, with Fagan dangerous in behind the Galway defence.  The slippy surface denied him on two occasions, however.  

Half-time came with Bohs a little frustrated, and Jumbo Brennan would definitely have been the happier manager.  His side look a lot more organised than they did under Sean Connor.

The game’s big talking point came just before the hour - Walsh fouled Brennan, and as the Bohs winger attempted to take a quick free, Walsh blocked the ball.  

A silly act of petulance which referee Rogers rewarded with a second yellow card.  Less than a minute later, Fagan (above) received the ball in the box from Buckley and was hauled down by Laurence Gaughan.  The former Man Utd striker took the penalty himself, sending Winn the wrong way and effectively ending the contest.

The Gypsies took their foot off the gas after that. Anto Flood came on down the right flank and with three minutes remaining, he cut inside and saw his initial shot blocked by Winn.

He poked the rebound towards Fagan, who got the slightest of touches to round off a convincing win.  This victory is Bohs’ best in the league this season - the first time they have won by three clear goals.

Fenlon’s men go to face UCD on Monday with the teams above them well and truly in their sights.

Galway United:  Winn, Sinnott, Son, Gaughan, Eduardo (Browne, 81), Ryan (S. Kelly), Walsh, G. Kelly, Sibanda, Murphy, Cauldwell (Gilmore, 61). Unused Subs: Kim, Gartlan, Enubele, Egan. 

Bohemians:  Murphy, O’Brien, Price, Burns (Cahill, 36), Rossiter, Buckley (Flood, 59), Hurley, Cronin, Traynor, Brennan (Bayly, 73), Fagan. Unused Subs: Downes, Feely, Dixon, Sexton.