Bohemians finally managed to extinguish the hoodoo of Galway United as the Gypsies ran out convincing winners over Premier Division strugglers Galway United in Terryland Park on Friday night.
A goal in each half from Anto Flood and Keith Buckley proved more than enough to return the visitors to winning ways and plunge the home side into even deeper trouble.
A physically imposing Bohemians outfit established their superiority from the off, dominating both possession and territory. After threatening early, they raced into an early lead when ex-United striker Flood rose highest in the box to nod Stephen Traynor’s dangerous cross home after only 12 minutes.
The lead should have been doubled shortly after as a crisp attacking move went unrewarded when winger Buckley scuffed a big chance with the Galway goal at his mercy.
Galway eventually grew into the contest, managing to gain a foothold in a congested midfield. They managed to test the Bohemians goal through Enda Curran and Sean Kelly as the first half drew to a close.
However, the inexperienced home team looked vulnerable to the counter-attacking ability of Killian Brennan, Flood and Traynor especially. These attacking players eventually combined to double the visitors lead on 56 minutes. A minute after shaving the crossbar, Flood forced a smart save from ‘keeper Fleming only for Buckley to make up for his earlier miss by blasting the ball to bottom corner of the net.
Bohs enjoyed the comfort of the two-goal cushion and played some attractive football that should have netted further reward, especially when Traynor headed close on 63 minutes and Brennan cracked the bar three minutes later.
Galway searched in vain for a response with Kelly and Curran again coming close to the target. However they simply could not compete with the passing and movement of the classy Dubliners and would have been slightly relieved when Richie Winter’s full-time whistle limited the damage to two.
Galway United: Fleming; Shaun Kelly, Sinnott, Walsh (Keogh, 77), G Kelly; Gartland (Cash, 54), Sean Kelly, Eduardo; Moore (Gilmore, 65); Ryan; E Curran.
Bohemians: O'Connor; Heary, Burns, Price, O'Brien; Buckley, Rossiter (Cahill, 51), Bayly, Brennan; Traynor (Joyce, 90), Flood (Forrester, 87).
Referee: R Winter (Wicklow).
