Galway United -v- Bohemians
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Both Galway United and Bohemians still have their Premier Division destinies in their own hands when they meet at Terryland Park tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm).
Bohemians are now in pole position to retain their Premier Division title, a feat never achieved in the Phibsboro club's long history, after the first hiccup by title rivals Shamrock Rovers was taken full advantage of on Tuesday night. A clinical dismantling of St. Pat's puts the Gypsies three wins away from glory, and possible financial salvation. Galway, on the other hand, hit another dip on their undulating season when falling to a harrowing defeat in Drogheda.
Ian Foster cut a deflated figure afterwards, and who could blame him after his side's best performance in beating Derry City last Friday was followed by arguably their worst. Foster had the confused look of a man who couldn't believe the same eleven players could turn in such contrasting displays.
"It is desperately hard to take. I am incredibly annoyed, I am upset, and I embarrased. Not because it is Drogheda, I am embarrased by the performance because anybody would have given us a hiding. When you don't track runners and when you don't compete when the ball comes into your own box you are not going to get anything out of games."
There was, however, an air of defiance when it came to discussing his side's next assignment, and an acknowledgement of the difficulty it will pose.
""I think Bohs are the best team in the League. They have a fantastic set up, and a fantastic team, but we certainly aren't throwing the towel in. We will give it everything we have got, we will compete until the final whistle in the last game of the season whenever that may be, and we will keep going, we have to.
"It is encouraging how we have done in Terryland, we have made it difficult recently for teams to come and get anything. Hopefully we will make it difficult for Bohemians on Friday night." Who can say they will with any certainty?
Galway have no suspensions to worry about but will be without Mark O'Toole and possibly John Russell (sorely missed) who is suffering a recurrence of a niggling ankle injury. Bohemians injury worries are less definitive, with Ken Oman doubtful after suffering a hamstring, while Owen Heary and Mark Rossiter may return after spells on the sidelines. Jason McGuinness is still out, while Killian Brennan is expected to shrug off a knock.
Whichever side Pat Fenlon puts out, it will be expected to win. Nine points accrued and a 9-0 aggregate in Bohs favour are the important details from the three previous league encounters. Hoops fans hoping desperately for another twist in the tale should also note that Bohemians have not conceded a league goal in four visits to Terryland since Galway returned to the Premier Division in 2007.
“Playing Galway is always difficult. Ian (Foster) has done very well there in difficult circumstances,” Fenlon stated. Difficult maybe, but hardly mission impossible for the title holders. Getting the job done is all that matters now for Fenlon, and his side have more than enough quality to overcome this hurdle.
extratime.ie Prediction: A routine 2-0 win for the visitors.
Bohemians are now in pole position to retain their Premier Division title, a feat never achieved in the Phibsboro club's long history, after the first hiccup by title rivals Shamrock Rovers was taken full advantage of on Tuesday night. A clinical dismantling of St. Pat's puts the Gypsies three wins away from glory, and possible financial salvation. Galway, on the other hand, hit another dip on their undulating season when falling to a harrowing defeat in Drogheda.
Ian Foster cut a deflated figure afterwards, and who could blame him after his side's best performance in beating Derry City last Friday was followed by arguably their worst. Foster had the confused look of a man who couldn't believe the same eleven players could turn in such contrasting displays.
"It is desperately hard to take. I am incredibly annoyed, I am upset, and I embarrased. Not because it is Drogheda, I am embarrased by the performance because anybody would have given us a hiding. When you don't track runners and when you don't compete when the ball comes into your own box you are not going to get anything out of games."
There was, however, an air of defiance when it came to discussing his side's next assignment, and an acknowledgement of the difficulty it will pose.
""I think Bohs are the best team in the League. They have a fantastic set up, and a fantastic team, but we certainly aren't throwing the towel in. We will give it everything we have got, we will compete until the final whistle in the last game of the season whenever that may be, and we will keep going, we have to.
"It is encouraging how we have done in Terryland, we have made it difficult recently for teams to come and get anything. Hopefully we will make it difficult for Bohemians on Friday night." Who can say they will with any certainty?
Galway have no suspensions to worry about but will be without Mark O'Toole and possibly John Russell (sorely missed) who is suffering a recurrence of a niggling ankle injury. Bohemians injury worries are less definitive, with Ken Oman doubtful after suffering a hamstring, while Owen Heary and Mark Rossiter may return after spells on the sidelines. Jason McGuinness is still out, while Killian Brennan is expected to shrug off a knock.
Whichever side Pat Fenlon puts out, it will be expected to win. Nine points accrued and a 9-0 aggregate in Bohs favour are the important details from the three previous league encounters. Hoops fans hoping desperately for another twist in the tale should also note that Bohemians have not conceded a league goal in four visits to Terryland since Galway returned to the Premier Division in 2007.
“Playing Galway is always difficult. Ian (Foster) has done very well there in difficult circumstances,” Fenlon stated. Difficult maybe, but hardly mission impossible for the title holders. Getting the job done is all that matters now for Fenlon, and his side have more than enough quality to overcome this hurdle.
extratime.ie Prediction: A routine 2-0 win for the visitors.
About Alan Dooley
is one of Extratime's longest serving contributors. Based in County Galway, Alan has been following the League of Ireland since the mid-1980s. His first memory of the drama of domestic football was Vinny Arkins, then … View Full Profile