FAI Cup Preview: Galway United -v- Bohemians

• Dave Donnelly
• Thu, Aug 23 2018




GALWAY UNITED

Looking to save their disastrous First Division campaign, Galway United host FAI Cup dark horses Bohemians at Éamonn Deacy Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

Alan Murphy’s charges look to bounce back from last weekend’s home thumping against Longford Town which all but ended their hopes of making the promotion play-offs this season.

After much fanfare during the off-season, Galway have failed to hit their expected heights as they lie well outside the reckoning in sixth place.

While still mathematically in with a shout of making the Playoffs, the Tribesmen would require a monumental collapse from Longford in Drogheda if they are to make the play-offs.

With their season all but over, the FAI Cup may be their saving grace as the Dyke Road outfit look to right the wrongs of a bitterly disappointing league campaign.

“It’s the biggest game of the season,” player-manager Alan Murphy told the club’s official media team.

“Bohemians are a good side. We’ve got a home draw in the FAI Cup, which is what every team wants.

“We’re looking to bounce back after last week in terms of attitude, performance, hard work and application.

“It’s going to be a good test for this group of players to see if they’re capable of reacting and restoring a bit of pride.

“It’s a different game and mindset for us. It’s a one-off type game that is decided on the night. Winner takes all, which could be great for a team out of the hunt for a play-off now.”

He added. “We have to give Bohs the respect that they deserve. They had an excellent win against Shamrock Rovers last week and they’ve inflicted heavy defeats on Bray and Limerick recently.

“They’ve got players with serious pedigree. It’s a huge battle for our players to test themselves against quality opposition. The Cup is hugely important for the present squad of players.”

Conor Layng, Gary Shanahan and Maurice Nugent all remain side-lined for United ahead of their crunch clash against Bohs, while Murphy and Alex Byrne are both doubtful.

BOHEMIANS

Seven-times-winners Bohemians will look build on their history in the blue-ribbon cup competition in 2018 as they seek out a path to the final in November.

The Gypsies must firstly overcome the hurdle of First Division side Galway United if they are put these dreams into reality.

Acutely aware of his side’s need to stay focused on the task on hand, Bohemians boss Keith Long is hopeful that his side won’t take their trip to the West for granted when he spoke to his club’s official media team.

“If you take things for granted in a cup competition, you can very quickly find yourself out of it.” Long declared.

“Galway United is a club geared towards being a Premier Division club. They have some excellent players, excellent facilities and an excellent pitch.

“They will have been happy with a home draw, so we will be going down there taking absolutely nothing for granted.

“Anything can happen in a one-off cup game. The onus is on us to go down there and impose our game-plan on Galway.

“They’ll have a big support behind them, but I think we will too.

“This is a competition everyone at the club wants to do well in and know they’ll be right behind us down there. We’re looking forward to it.”

Kevin Devaney and Ryan Swan both miss out but Rob Cornwall is back into contention after his recent hamstring troubles.

 

Referee: Robert Hennessy.

 

MATCH STATS

Bohemians have a poor recent record in Galway as the Phibsborough outfit have won only once at Éamonn Deacy in the past seven years as the Tribesmen succumbed to relegation in 2011.

Since Galway’s dramatic 5-3 success over Bohs way back in 2015, there has only been more than 2.5 goals scored in this fixture twice in ten games.

The Gypsies have come out on top during both of those occasions.

Both sides qualified to the second round of the FAI Cup following wins over Wexford opposition in the last round. Keith Long’s Bohs dumped Wexford out by a 7-0 scoreline.

The Tribesmen dumped Junior side North End United out of the fabled cup competition by a comfortable four goals.

 

BETTING

Galway United 4/1; Draw 11/4; Bohemians 8/15.

PREDICTION

Galway United 0-3 Bohemians

 

Galway United

Injured: Conor Layng, Gary Shanahan, Maurice Nugent.

Doubtful: Alan Murphy, Alex Byrne.

Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: Kevin Devaney, Ryan Swan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.