Neale Fenn was the Bohemians hero as the Gypsies made a satisfying start at Terryland Park.
The former Irish under-21 international pinched his first goal since November 2006 to guide Bohs home.
Though the opening period wasn’t exactly laced with free flowing football Bohemians departed content at the interval.
It was the Gypsies who shaded the contest and were deserving leaders at the turnaround as Fenn ended a 16 month search for a goal.
Fenn and Glen Crowe had went close before the Dubliners struck in the 29th minute.
Mark Rossiter lofted the ball from the back, and Fenn held off Regillio Nootimer’s challenge before supplying a cool finish which delighted the sizeable contingent of visiting supporters.
Despite conceding the goal Galway responded by carving a flurry of reasonable opportunities either side of the interval.
John Lester fizzed a free kick on target from distance forcing a save from Brian Murphy, while Jay O'Shea dragged a shot wide.
In the second period Galway had a penalty claim waved away when Derek Glynn hit the deck following Owen Heary’s intervention, but referee Alan Kelly waved play on.
Glynn was buzzing around the pitch with intent scampering clear after Gary Deegan’s disguised pass, but Murphy made another crucial save.
Galway United: Rogers; Charles, Nootimer, Fitzgerald, McCulloch; O'Shea (Rusell, 64), Lester (Fenn, 58), Deegan, O’Brien; Leech (Faherty, 73), Glynn.
Bohemians: Murphy; Heary, Oman, Burns (McGuinness, 53), Rossiter; Kelly, Turner, Cronin (Hunt,22), Brennan; Fenn (Mansaram, 87) Crowe.
Referee: A Kelly (Cork).
