Saturday friendlies round-up
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Athlone Town 0-1 Bohemians
Bohemians made it four pre-season wins out of five with a narrow victory over First Division Athlone Town at Lissywollen on Saturday afternoon.
Bohs manager Pat Fenlon handed a first pre-season start to goalkeeper Matt Gregg, while Jason McGuinness lined out ayt centre back in place of Ken Oman. In-form Jason Byrne grabbed the only goal of the game for the Gyspies in the second half, to make it four goals in two games for the striker. Worryingly for Bohs, Brian Shelley was forced of injured.
The game was Bohs' penultimate friendly ahead of the new season. Last season's Premier League and FAI Cup winners will round off their preparations against local rivals Shelbourne at Dalymount Park on Friday night (February 27th). Athlone, meanhwile, will play host to Shamrock Rovers on Sunday week (March 1st).
Galway Utd 2-0 UCD
Galway United continued their impressive pre-season with a 2-0 victory over UCD at Enfield on Saturday afternoon. New manager Ian Foster had guided The Tribesmen to two wins and two draws in their four previous friendly outings prior to this one and the side's unbeaten run continued thanks to goals from Garry Breen and striker Declan Edwards, who signed during the week from Stockport County.
Foster will be looking to hone his Galway side further ahead of their first league game away to St Patrick's Athletic on the opening night of the season, with two more friendlies against Salthill Devon in Drom on Tuesday night (February 24th, 7.45pm) and Mervue United at Terryland Park on Friday (February 27th, 7.45pm).
Next up for UCD is a home meeting with Bray wanderers on Monday night (February 23rd,7.45pm), which will be followed by a tricky trip to the Brandywell to take on Derry City next Saturday (February 28th, 7pm).
Other action...
Elsewhere on Saturday, a solitary goal from Oisin McMenimen gave Finn Harps victory over Cockhill, while goals from Stephen Gray, Thomas Stewart, Clive Delaney and Darren McCauley gave Derry City a convincing 4-0 victory over First Division Longford Town.
Wexford Youths continued their impressive showing against Premier League opposition this pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Shamrock Rovers at Ferrycarraig on Saturday evening. Mick Wallace's men had previously also held Dundalk and St Patrick's Athletic to nil-nil draws. They will look to round off their pre-season campaign on a positive note on Sunday week when they face Athlone. Wexford Youths currently have no other friendly matches confirmed before the start of the new season. Meanwhile, Dundalk warmed up for the new season with a 1-0 victory away to Sligo Rovers, with Michael Daly on target for Sean Connor's Lillywhites.
