Galway United Secure Top Half Finishers After Deadlock With Bohemians

Galway United 1-1 Bohemians

Galway United ended their season with a stalemate against Bohemians on Friday night as two first half goals ensured a share of the spoils.

Galway raced out of the blocks in the opening stages creating a number of chances with Bohemians putting themselves in danger with some misplaced back passes to goalkeeper James Talbot.

David Hurley was impressive throughout and, with 13 minutes gone, Galway had the first real chance of the game. Hurley robbed the ball from Bohs left back Jevon Mills and attempted to play in Stephen Walsh but, after the ball came back to him he hit a tame effort at Talbot in what was a good opportunity.

Galway continued to dominate possession until Bohemians, with their first decent passage of play took the lead on the 20 minute mark. Captain Jordan Flores played a ball through to Dawson Devoy on the edge of the United box and the midfielder delightfully flicked it in to the path of Dayle Rooney who calmly passed the ball through the legs of Brendan Clarke and into the net.

Galway responded well and should’ve been level 10 minutes later. Talbot played a wayward pass to Hurley on the left wing, who in turn crossed the ball into the arriving Patrick Hickey and somehow the ball ended up going just wide of the post. A huge let off for Bohs.

There were a few half chances for both sides in the ensuing minutes when John Caulfield’s side finally drew level 5 minutes before halftime. Jeannot Esua crossed in from the right, and after a weak clearence from Bohemians it dropped to David Hurley on the edge of the box who redeemed himself with a low shot that deflected past Talbot in goals.

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Galway could have taken the lead just a minute later when Stephen Walsh swerved past two men and laid it off to Edward McCarthy with a gilt edged opportunity 12 metres out but he scuffed it straight at Talbot.

There was still enough time for Bohs to create a chance of their own when Jake Clarke crossed the ball into Jevon Mills who took a touch and unopposed could only roll the ball at the grateful Brendan Clarke. This would bring what was an entertaining half of football to a close.

If the first half was entertaining the second was anything but. You could really get the feel of an end of season dead rubber.

Galway remained in the driving seat having the lions share of possession and winning a flurry of corners in quick succession but failed to carve out any clear cut chances.

Jimmy Keohane did clip the top of the crossbar with one of his corners but that was as good as it got and the game petered out to the finish.

The draw means that the Tribesmen finished 5th in what was a superb first season back in the Premier Division where they just missed out on European places.

A point for Bohemians leaves them 8th in the LOI Premier Division, a disappointing season for the Gypsies. For Galway the point left them with their highest league position since 1994. John Caulfield and his men will now take stock in the off season and go again in the new year in what will be a highly anticipated year.

Bohemians: Talbot, Byrne, Mills (McDaid, 83), Carroll, Kirk, McDonnell (Piszczek, 44), Flores, Meekison, Devoy, Rooney, Clarke.

Galway United, Clarke, Esua, Slevin, Buckley, Donelon (Burns, 77), O’Keeffe (Borden, 77), Hurley, McCarthy (Lomboto, 71), Hickey, Keohane, Walsh.

Referee: Rob Hennessy (Clare).