- Paul Corcoran
- Fri, Feb 09 2018
Goals from Rob Manley and Keith Ward were enough to see Bohemians passed Galway United at a freezing cold Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night in their last pre-season test before the Premier Division season kicks off next week.
United looked nervy at the back from the outset but going forward they appeared to be somewhat on the same page as they put a number of decent early moves together.
Shane Keegan’s men had a very close opportunity when Ryan Connolly carried the ball deep into the Bohs box before laying a nice ball off to Eoin McCormack who played the ball straight across to Conor Barry but the midfielder was off balance and couldn’t get the ball under control however.
Bohemians took the lead with just 20 minutes of the first half gone, all without leaving second gear. The Gypsies were gifted possession outside of the Galway box and Rob Manley saw his opportunity and struck the ball into the top right corner of the net, leaving Arek Mamala with nothing to do but flap at it and watch it drift passed him.
Galway gifted Bohemians their second of the evening when Gary Shanahan played a silly long pass all the way across his own box, inadvertently playing in Keith Ward. The midfielder took advantage, despite the best efforts of Stephen Walsh, and looped a ball over the goalkeeper into the bottom left corner of the net.
Barry did his very best to drag his side back into this one during the first half. The midfielder played a great ball across the box and Ronan Manning cleverly left the ball run to Stephen Kenny who struck a fierce shot only stopped by a crush of Bohemians defenders sliding across its path.
The second half started slowly but former Tribesman Kevin Devaney nearly lit up the stadium after a clever one-two with second half substitute Dinny Corcoran. Devaney dented the post with a screamer of a shot, the winger denied a goal on his return to Eamonn Deacy Park.
A poor clearance from Maurice Nugent nearly provided Bohs with another easy goal. The defender’s clearance went straight to Derek Pender who placed a ball on Corcoran’s head but the talented striker blazed the header wide of Mamala’s goal.
United did their best to regain some of their pride during this game. Young defender Aaron Conway had a great chance to get his name on the scoresheet for the home side, and his effort drew a good save from Shane Supple in the Bohemians goal.
Galway’s poor run in front of goal continues in 2018 with just two goals during their pre-season campaign after they failed to find the net once again tonight against Keith Long’s men.
Bohemians can now put their pre-season behind them as they face their bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers next Friday in Dalymount Park while Galway travel to Tolka Park to face Shelbourne for their final friendly match before the First Division begins on Friday, February 23rd.
Galway United: Arek Mamala (Conor Gleeson 82); Maurice Nugent, Gary Kineen, Stephen Walsh (Adam Rooney 82), Robbie Williams; Ronan Manning, Ryan Connolly, Gary Shanahan (Aaron Conway 72), Stephen Kenny (Mikey Place 63), Conor Barry (Declan Sharkey 72); Eoin McCormack (Conor Layng 82).
Subs not used: None.
Booked: None.
Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender, Darragh Leahy, Dan Casey (Dan Byrne 55), Rob Cornwall; Keith Ward (Phillip Gannon 77), Kevin Devaney (Karl Moore 69), Paddy Kavanagh (JJ Lunney 84), Oscar Brennan, Keith Buckley (Dylan Watts 77); Rob Manley (Dinny Corcoran 55).
Subs not used: Colin McCabe, Ian Morris, Paddy Kirk.
Booked: Paddy Kavanagh (60).
Referee: Marc Lynch.
Attendance: 150 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Kevin Devaney (Bohemians).
