Galway United 0
Bohemians 2
Declan Rooney reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
GOALS IN EACH half from Darragh Leahy and substitute Eoghan Stokes sent Bohemians into the third round of the FAI Cup following a convincing win at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Leahy’s opener after six minutes was the least Bohs deserved, but they wasted a hatful of chances before Stokes fired the clincher from a free kick 13 minutes from time.
Lining up with five at the back from the off, the tactic from the home side was clear: try to soak up the pressure and hit their visitors on the break, but their strategy cost them dearly early on.
Last weekend’s 4-1 loss to Longford Town was the death-knell for United’s hopes of promotion to the Premier Division and playing a side with four wins from their last five games, Alan Muphy’s men faced a real challenge.
In the early stages of the game, Bohs were totally dominant, with Kevin Devaney and Darragh Leahy rampant on the left and it was no shock to see the Dublin outfit take the lead after six minutes. It was certainly a lucky goal for Bohs, and Leahy will surely admit he was attempting a cross from the left, but it sailed over Tadhg Ryan’s head for the opening goal.
The chances continued to flow for Bohemians, with Dinny Corcoran and Dan Casey threatening a second, but the home side settled a little when they reverted to four at the back midway through the half.
Centre-back Casey had a second shot saved 11 minutes from the break, and 10 minutes later, Keith Ward’s free only missed by inches, as Bohs had to be happy with a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Five minutes after the restart, the visitors should have stretched their lead, when Williams was penalised for a blatant pull on Leahy from Devaney’s corner, but JJ Lunney’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Ryan.
Eoin McCormack had a great chance to level for United, but Shane Supple smothered his effort well after 53 minutes, while Ryan was called into action again with a stunning fingertip stop to deny Keith Buckley.
There seemed to be no end to the chances for Bohs, as Ward flashed a shot wide of goal on the hour mark, but 13 minutes from time, the second finally arrived, when Stokes’s free crept into the bottom corner.
Galway United: Tadhg Ryan; Chris Horgan, Evan Murphy (Aaron Conway, 88), Robbie Williams (Wilson Waweru, 83), Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden; Carlton Ubaezuonu, Ryan Connolly (c), Sean Russell (Conor Melody, h-t), Conor Barry; Eoin McCormack,
Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender (c), Dan Casey, Ian Morris, Darragh Leahy; Daniel Kelly (Daniel Grant, 62), Keith Buckley, JJ Lunney, Kevin Devaney; Keith Ward (Eoghan Stokes, 71), Dinny Corcoran (Ryan Masteron, 85).
Referee: Robert Hennessy (Clare).
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
