Bohemians breezed into the last eight of the FAI Cup with a dominant display in Eamonn Deacy Park.
An early strike from Darragh Leahy and a late one from substitute Eoghan Stokes ended Galway's interest in relevant football for the guts of six months, their woes evinced by a paltry home crowd.
These are worrying times for the Tribesmen, with voted-for Saudi investment likely not going to transpire if rumour is accurate, while Bohemians will be a formidable foe for whoever meets them in the quarter-finals.
Bohs started as they meant to go on and Leahy's goal was a cracker, smashing it over Tadgh Ryan into the far corner from the edge of the box, sending the away fans into delirium. Only Leahy could tell you if he meant to strike the ball goal-bound, or if he were trying to cross to the back stick.
Bohs were utterly dominant and midway through the half a goalmouth scramble ensued, Ryan adjusting his feet to block Keith Ward's close-range strike, Galway at a loss to get any control in the game. Shortly afterwards, Dan Casey headed over from Kevin Devaney's corner.
Another corner on 33 minutes exposed United's problems, Dinny Corcoran totally free but his header was blocked and the home side could regroup.
Galway did settle a little later in the half, enjoying some possession, but the Gypsies remained comfortable. Wearing a face mask after a nasal injury, ex-United favourite Devaney blazed over as the interval neared. Keith Ward, lively, then arrowed a free-kick just over the bar.
The hosts made a change at half-time, Conor Melody coming in for recent signing Sean Russell. However, Bohs had a penalty four minutes into the second period, Robbie Williams deemed to have pulled at Dan Casey, but Ryan magnificently saved JJ Lunney's left-footed spot kick.
United suddenly believed, and Conor McCormack was put through by Conor Barry, but Shane Supple saved with his feet.
Quite how Bohemians didn't double their lead however, Daniel Kelly putting it straight into Ryan's hands, was remarkable. It was quite the start to the second period. Just after the hour mark, Ward angled a drive just wide of the Limerick native's left post.
Then, Kelly was really smart to set up Keith Buckley, Ryan making a stunning save onto the post as United struggled to stay alive.
A beautiful Ward pass put Devaney in, but his cross lacked power, as did Corcoran's header. At the other end, Leahy was on the line to meet McCormack's header after he beat Supple to a deflected cross.
Ward was superb as the game wore on, forcing Ryan into a smart save with 20 minutes left. Surprisingly, Ward was taken off shortly afterwards.
Bohs ensured the victory with 12 minutes left.
Stokes – who came on for Ward – found the corner with a free kick despite Ryan getting a hand to it. Stephen Walsh had been adjudged to have committed what seemed a soft foul.
2-0 its all over here in Galway 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/wXCxxLefA5
— Bohemian FC 🔴⚫ (@bfcdublin) August 24, 2018
Galway's player of the season, Portumna native Conor Barry, never stopped trying – but, such was the night, he pulled his shot wide as some of the home fans headed for the exits.
McCormack then had another superb chance, but after the Ballinasloe man was clearly pulled back the ball was blocked for a corner, which came to nothing – just like a season that promised plenty for Galway United.
Galway United: Ryan, Ludden, Walsh, Murphy (Conway 89), Horgan, Russell (Melody 46), Connolly, Williams (Waweru 83), Barry, Ubaezuonu, McCormack.
Bohemians: Supple, Leahy, Cornwall, Casey, Pender, Devaney, Lunney, Buckley, Kelly (Grant 62), Ward (Stokes 72), Corcoran (Masterston 86).
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Limerick).
