Bohemians -v- Galway United

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Aug 12 2010


Bohemians will be looking to get their title chase back on the road on Friday night after last weekend’s demoralising defeat by Shamrock Rovers. But the Gypsies will be welcoming to Dalymount Park a Galway United side which they have failed to beat in their two previous attempts this season. (Kick -Off, 7.45pm)

It would be easy to be fooled into thinking that last Sunday’s reverse put an end to Bohs title aspirations but the Phibsboro side remain just five points behind joint leaders Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic and have a game in hand against seemingly doomed Bray Wanderers.

They also have to play Rovers once more at Dalymount Park but for that game to remain pivotal the bread and butter points against teams like Galway must be picked up. This they failed to do last April when the Tribesmen came away from Dalymount with a 3-2 win and Fenlon will know that a similar result must not occur on Friday night.

Sean Connor, meanwhile, has an entirely different set of problems. His side have claimed only one win in their past seven league games, away to UCD two weeks ago, and Galway have scored just two goals in their last five. The early season promise of the Karl Sheppard/Anto Flood partnership has faded in recent months and Connor will no doubt be emphasising defensive solidity ahead of creative abandon.

Both Stephen O’Donnell (knee) and Seamus Conneelly (hamstring) are doubts for this game with O’Donnell the more likely to make it.

Pat Fenlon will again be without Steven Gray and Anto Murphy and both Glen Cronin and Gareth McGlynn will have to pass fitness tests but whatever side he puts out should be good enough to overcome the Galway challenge.



Bohemians
Injured: Steven Gray, Anto Murphy.
Doubtful: Gareth McGlynn, Glen Cronin.
Suspended: None.

Galway United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Stephen O’Donnell, Seamus Conneelly.
Suspended: None.

Referee: D Hancock.

Extratime prediction: Bohs to recover some pride; 1-0 win.