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Ten-man Bohemians hold out at Galway United to reach FAI Cup final

Updated / Saturday, 7 Oct 2023 17:13

Ten-men Bohemians withstood a late Galway United onslaught to book their spot in the Sports Direct FAI Cup final.

Professional, with a touch of class in attack, they faced down a home team that were brave to the last.

In the end, a goal from Dylan Connolly was enough to separate the sides after a tough and tense encounter that dripped with drama.

Bohs were under the pump early. The home side forced three corners in succession and looked dangerous but James Talbot remained untroubled in the away goal. Wassim Aouachria was to the fore of the attack, holding the ball up well and asking questions of the visitors' back four.

But when Bohs settled, they created. Jonathan Afloabi spearheaded their efforts. He combined beautifully with Keith Buckley on the edge of the box in the 12th minute and poked an effort that dribbled off the post before Maurice Nugent could hack clear.

He would atone at the stroke of half time when he breezed around the United defence and square to Dylan Connolly who tapped home and wheeled off to celebrate with the delirious Dubs in the corner.

United's physicality had posed problems for Declan Devine's side and they picked up four yellow cards in their effort to combat the directness of the home side.

When they did find space in the United half they were dangerous and Ali Coote had a chance too before the opener, his shot coming off the post after a mazy run.

It was Afolabi who dominated the conversation however. A standard long-ball somehow turned him loose. His shot was saved by Brendan Clarke but it should have been a second for Bohemians.

Kacper Radkowski was also an important name in the narrative of the game. After tussling early with Wassim Aouachria and delivering the long-ball for Afolabi, the Polish centre-half was sent off on the hour mark.

His second yellow for a clash with Stephen Walsh was on the harsh side but referee Neil Doyle remained consistent throughout and the yellows continued to rain down on an uncharacteristically sunny October day in Galway.

United piled on the pressure with the numerical advantage but Bohs coped well with the crosses. They even had some chances too when they ventured forward, Connolly and Krystian Nowak coming close.

In a fractured game, one of the main points of contention came in injury-time. Walsh seemed to be wrestled to the ground by Buckley but no penalty arrived.

There was further late drama when captain Conor McCormack sweetly struck the rebound of a free-kick but his effort flashed wide of the goal.

Galway United: B Clarke; McCormack, Nugent (Slevin 55), Brouder, Donelon (O’ Keefe 75); Dervin, Borden (Lomboto 75), Hurley, McCarthy (Clarke 86); Walsh, Aouachria (Manley 75)

Bohemian FC: Talbot; Kukulowicz (McDonnell 87), Nowak, Radkowski, Kirk; Buckley, Clarke (O’ Sullivan 87), Flores (McDaid 87); Connolly (Grant 75), Afolabi, Coote (Byrne 61)

Referee: N Doyle

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