Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Bohemians -v- Galway United
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Sep 01 2017
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians will look to put a disappointing few weeks behind them when they welcome relegation-threatened Galway United to Dalymount Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Gypsies had last weekend off from competitive action after being knocked out of the FAI Cup by Finn Harps earlier this month.
And that result was compounded by another away defeat, to Limerick, in the league the following week that saw the Blues move within two points of them.
Bohs hosted Derry City at Dalymount in a friendly last week, with goals from Ciaran O'Connor and Cian McMullan contributing to a 2-2 draw with the Candystripes.
"We've been disappointing in our last two games,” Gypsies boss Keith Long told the club's media team.
“We didn't hit the levels we had shown we are capable of, which was frustrating.
"We felt we left points behind us in Limerick but our performance wasn't what it should have been.
"We want to consolidate our league position and we want to get back to winning ways.
"Galway have good quality in their side but we have to concentrate on our own performance."
Dylan Hayes misses out with a groin injury and Ian Morris is suspended, but Oscar Brennan and Paddy Kavanagh return from suspension while Dinny Corcoran also returns.
Eoin Wearen, who has missed the entire season to date with a cruciate knee ligament injury, is hoped to return to full training in the coming week.
GALWAY UNITED
It's been a good few weeks for Galway United as they advanced two rounds in the FAI Cup and picked up some much-needed league points.
However their last-gasp defeat at home to Shamrock Rovers two weeks ago, and teams around them picking up points, leaves them three points adrift of safety.
That makes the visit to Dalymount Park one of crucial importance as they face a Gypsies side who haven't been at their best in recent weeks.
Manager Shane Keegan will be targetting at least a point in order to insure the Tribesmen don't fall further adrift in the relegation zone.
"Last weeks result and performance against St Pats has given us a lot of confidence and we firmly believe that we can do it again in Dalymount Park on Friday," Keegan told the club's official website.
"Bohemians are arguably one of the highest achieving teams of the season when you look back at the pre-season predictions. They haven't really been involved in the relegation scrap.
"Keith Long deserves massive plaudits, he's got the most out of his players and a lot of them are having fantastic seasons.
"Bohemians are a bit similar to ourselves, they can blow hot and cold. They've beaten Shamrock Rovers and Cork City and lost games I'm sure they would've hoped to win.
"I don't think there is much between the sides and that was illustrated when we've met already this season. It's another big game for us."
Captain Colm Horgan is suspended while Jonah Ayunga won't play again this season after breaking his leg.
Kevin Devaney and Marc Ludden are both doubts after picking up injuries over the past week.
Referee: Derek Tomney
MATCH STATS
The teams have faced each other twice so far this season, with Bohemians holding a slight upper hand so far.
The first meeting at Dalymount Park in March finished a goal apiece after Ronan Murray cancelled out Dinny Corcoran's early opener.
The return game at Eamonn Deacy Park in May saw the same two players on the scoresheet but the game finished 2-1 thanks to Lorcan Fitzgerald's first-half volley.
BETTING
Bohemians 11/8; Draw 23/10; Galway United 2/1.
PREDICTION
Bohemians 1 – 1 Galway United
Bohemians
Injured: Dylan Hayes (groin), Eoin Wearen (knee).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Ian Morris.
Galway United
Injured: Jonah Ayunga (broken leg).
Doubtful: Marc Ludden, Kevin Devaney.
Suspended: Colm Horgan.
