The new season is only eight games old, but it can already be neatly split into two categories. Against the Dublin teams, Galway United have lost four from four. Against the rest, they are unbeaten with ten points to show for their considerable efforts.
Monday’s game against Bohemians, hot on the heels of a famous win in Derry on Good Friday, was probably the most disappointing of a productive season thus far.
The visitors turned in a dominant display in Eamonn Deacy Park to record their first win under new manager Alan Reynolds.
Jevon Mills and Oluwaseun Akintunde headed home set-pieces, both expertly delivered by Dayle Rooney in either half, to condemn United to a third home defeat of the campaign.
It was a fast start from the visitors and they should have been ahead early. Jordan Flores caught a corner-kick on the volley. His shot was only thwarted by a Conor McCormack goal-line clearance.
Things were frantic for the first ten minutes in and around the United box. Brendan Clarke saved from Paddy Kirk twice as he got on the end of dangerous corners. McCormack also stopped another goal bound effort from James McManus.
Although the United defence scrambled and battled well, Rooney eventually unlocked it. A sublime free-kick in the 21st minute whizzed on to the head of Jevon Mills. The defender’s glancing header nestled in the far corner for a deserved lead.
Bohs remained rampant and Dylan Connolly was unlucky not to double the lead shortly after. A steadying influence as ever, Brendan Clarke tipped the shot over after Al-Amin Kazeem was turned over in his own third.
United grew into the game in the second quarter. David Hurley was blocked as he loomed down on goal. Positive play from Aodh Dervin resulted in a chance for Ed McCarthy whose shot was tame. Karl O’ Sullivan’s header before the break had Kacper Chorazka worried but he gathered well.
Stephen Walsh and Regan Donelon entered the fray at half-time. Although both had an impact, a second set-piece goal seemed to seal it for Bohs inside the hour. Rooney’s out swinging corner found an unmarked Oluwaseun Akintunde who powered home from six yards.
United proved their mettle thereafter and should have had a goal back. Sub Francely Lomboto’s first touch, a diving header, was cleared off the line brilliantly by Mills. Fellow sub Patrick Hickey was inches wide with a header from close range from another corner.
There were late scares to survive for the visitors with Walsh and Hurley leading the charge. Bohs dealt admirably with the onslaught and could have had the insurance of a third were Sten Reinkort a little luckier. However, it was immaterial as Bohs hung on for a deserved win.
United will travel to Sligo on Saturday to take on a Rovers side who have also enjoyed an impressive start. However, they too fell short against a Dublin side on Monday, losing 3-0 in Inchicore.
