Galway United 0, Bohemians 2

Despite playing with nine men for the majority of the second half, Bohemians held out for a routine victory over Galway United, increasing their stranglehold at the top of the table.

CLASH . . . Galway United midfielder Ciaran Foley is challenged by former colleague Gary Deegan during Friday's eircom League clash against Bohemians at Terryland Park. Photo: Alan Gallagher

The visitors had Anto Murphy and Stephen O'Donnell red-carded, but first-half strikes from Gary Deegan and Mindagus Kalonas gave the Gypsey's the three points.

On his return to Terryland Park, it was almost inevitable that Deegan would come back to haunt United, and his opening goal on seven minutes got the ball rolling for a fine Bohemians victory. Thomas Heary drilled a 50 yard cross-field pass to John Paul Kelly, whose cross-cum-shot rebounded off John Fitzgerald and Deegan made no mistake from the rebound.

Just before half-time Bohemians struck for a second time and once again some static defending was responsible. Mark Rossiter threaded a pass to the feet of Kalonas – who crept expertly off the ball-watching Seamus Conneely – and fired home to the roof of the net.

Bohemians were reduced to 10 men, six minutes after the restart, as Murphy received his marching orders. Having been booked in the first half for an ugly lunge on Iarflaith Davoren, Murphy saw yellow again, for an apparent dive in a challenge with the same player.

United, encouraged by Murphy's dismissal pushed on and Jesper Jorgensen came close after collecting Jay O'Shea's pass from the right. However, the visitors were further impaired as O'Donnell received his red, after picking up a second yellow for a late tackle on Davoren as he bore down on goal.

The Gypseys firmly parked the bus on their 18-yard line and defended resolutely for the remaining 25 minutes, doggedly keeping United at bay. The home side rarely threatened Brian Murphy's goal, but both O'Shea and reserve Jason Molloy had efforts kept out by the Bohemians custodian, who was outstanding for the visitors.

"Conceding the early goal to the champions-elect put us on the back foot, but I think we played better when we went one nil down. It was a poor goal to concede on our part, but I think we caused them some problems," said United manager Jeff Kenna.

Galway United: Rogers; Conneely, Kenna, Fitzgerald, McCulloch (Molloy, 67); O'Shea, Foley, Russell (Glynn, 58), Murphy, Davoren; Jorgensen

Bohemians: Murphy; Murphy, T. Heary, O. Heary, Rossiter; Kelly (Byrne, 71), O'Donnell, Deegan, Brennan; Crowe (McGill, 83), Kalonas (Burns, 54)

Sent off: Anto Murphy 51, Stephen O'Donnell 66.

Referee: R. Winter (Dublin).

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