Galway United FC -v- Bohemians FC

• Alan Dooley
• Mon, Apr 06 2009


An unlikely third versus second encounter is in store when Galway United face Bohemians at Terryland Park on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm). Ian Foster has claimed that his side are not in a false position, but this game is sure to pose some staunch questions as to whether his young side can seriously be considered as top-five material.

Trend breakers
The home side have been the obvious surprise package thus far. They have bucked some unwanted trends already in the opening weeks of the season - winning at home, scoring against Derry and looking strong defensively. They will have to break another sequence on Tuesday, though, if they are to have any chance of returning to the top of the table. They must score against Bohemians at home for the first time since they returned to the Premier Division in 2007.

Team talk
Foster's message of rewards being gained from hard work seems to be getting through to his squad. He admitted to having a go at his players after a lacklustre opening half in Derry, and Seamus Conneely responded well by drilling in his first goal for the club. Indeed, it was not the first time that Galway have come out firing after the break as they also hit Saint Patrick's Athletic with a quick-fire double within eight minutes of the resumption on the opening night. However, whether United's work-rate will be sufficient to trouble the reigning champions - wounded after a home defeat to Cork City at the weekend - will be an acid test for The Tribesmen.

Home form
Galway have yet to match the heights of their attacking endeavours on the road at Terryland Park, snatching a 1-0 win against Dundalk before failing to capitalise on a man advantage as they were held scoreless by struggling Sligo Rovers. A failure to support lone striker Vinny Faherty was a cause for concern in the Connacht derby, and a burden will continue to fall on Cian McBrien's young shoulders to provide creativity from the centre of the park until John Russell returns from injury. So far he has handled the task admirably, providing two assists and firing in a stunning effort against Bray.

Mis-firing champions
Arguments regarding the quality of play by Pat Fenlon's Bohemians looked to have been put to bed by their scintillating performance in defeating Shamrock Rovers. However, the niggling doubts resurfaced last Friday following a tame performance that was settled in Cork's favour by Davin O'Neill's first strike for the club. Solidity, not entertainment, though, was a hallmark of their title-winning season last year and they have continued on in that vein away from home this term with two single-goal victories and two clean sheets. They conceded only five goals on their travels last season. A similar record this year will no doubt see the champions retain their crown, but will it satisfy the purists?

Quick response
Stung by Friday's loss, Fenlon is glad of a quick chance to get back to winning ways. "The one thing we have got to do is react to that loss," he said. "The good thing from our point of view is that we have a game on Tuesday. Normally, you would have to wait for a week. The game in Galway will be another very tough game, but the fact that it is coming so quickly is good for the players." Fenlon acknowledged how an improved Galway would pose a stiff challenge but was hopeful for a marked improvement from his own players. "Galway are a very good side and they have had some great results so far," he said. "They have some very good attacking players and we will have to perform well to get something from the game. We will be hoping to bounce back straight away but we have to improve our game. It’s been a mixed bag in the last few weeks."

Team News
Foster welcomes back both Jason Molloy and Declan Edwards from suspension and is likely to have a full squad to choose from, bar Shane Fitzgerald and Russell, who is still 2/3 weeks away from a first-team return. Ger Hanley, who saved three penalties and scored the winning one in a Senior Schools Cup semi-final on Friday before travelling to Derry, will deputise for Barry Ryan if the Clare man fails to shrug off a slight knock picked up in Derry. Bohs, meanwhile, will be without Gary Deegan (suspended) and Neale Fenn (calf strain), both of whom scored in comfortable wins at Terryland Park last year.

extratime.ie prediction: Bohs to snatch it 1-0.