Ahead of last Sunday’s clash at Dalymount Park, Galway United manager, John Caulfield, believed his side could pick up a positive result in the capital, and his confidence was justified as the westerners picked up an important 1-1 draw against Bohs.

An outstanding volley from Aaron Bolger late in the opening half, cancelled out an earlier Colm Whelan penalty to earn a share of the spoils for the 2023 First Division Champions.

In truth, from start to finish the hosts were the better side, and they will wonder how they failed to pick up all three points.

Alan Reynolds’ men advanced in the Europa Conference League qualifiers on Thursday night, following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Ballkani in Kosovo, however on Sunday evening it looked like at times it was Galway who were the side that were in action three days previously, as the Dubliners showed a lot more energy than the visitors.

In a physical affair, the men in black and red started on the front foot, and they created some half chances in the opening 20 minutes, with Dayle Rooney going close in the 13th minute.

The winger picked up the ball on the left flank, before firing a right footed effort at goal, but his strike was smartly saved by Hugo Pires da Cunha in the Galway goal.

Just under 10 minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty, following a foul by Jimmy Keohane in the away side’s penalty box, during a Bohs corner kick.

Referee, Robert Hennessy’s decision to give the spot kick angered Caulfield and his players, but when they watch the replay of the decision back, they can have little complaints as it did appear the Kilkenny native hauled down former Galway loanee, Cian Byrne.

Fellow Kilkenny man, Whelan, dispatched the resulting penalty in the 23rd minute, to give the north Dublin outfit the lead.

Against the run of play, with nine minutes remaining in the half, United levelled matters following a delightful volley by Bolger.

A Keohane free kick wasn’t fully cleared by the hosts, and the ball fell to the midfielder, who unleashed a spectacular strike from well outside the penalty box, which ended up in the back of the net, to the shock of many in the stadium.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Bohs came close to taking the lead once more, but Harry Vaughan saw his shot from distance saved brilliantly by da Cunha.

The second half of this contest was a far more scrappy affair, with chances few and far between.

In fact, in their final game ever at the original Dalymount Park before the stadium begins reconstruction work at the end of this season, the tribesmen failed to have a shot on target in the second period.

Former united player, Patrick Hickey lined out at the heart of the Dubliners’ defence, alongside former Finn Harps and Derry City defender Sam Todd, and both players had little to deal with, from minute 45 to 90.

The first real chance of the half came in the 68th minute, when the impressive, Vaughan’s strike at goal was deflected off Aaron Bolger, and the football just went over the United crossbar.

For the remaining 22 minutes, it was all hands to the pump for Caulfield’s charges, as The Gyspies threw the kitchen sink at the Terryland outfit.

Substitute, Jordan Flores was next to go close for the home team, but his free-kick, following a dubious refereeing decision, just went narrowly wide.

United introduced Francely Lomboto off the bench for the final quarter of the contest, and the Galway native looked lively when he was introduced, as he stretched the pitch for his side, with his blistering pace.

However, in the final five minutes of the game, all the action took place at the far end of the pitch, and da Cunha was forced into two top class saves, to make sure United earned a share of the spoils.

Firstly, in the 85th minute the Portuguese goalkeeper steered away a Ross Tierney effort from 12 yards out, and in the 90th minute he saved a Flores header, following a Bohs corner.

United certainly ran their luck at times on Sunday evening, but they would have been delighted to leave the capital with a point, as in a number of games this season they have been denied points in games, which they probably deserved more out of.

If they can continue to defend like they did last Sunday, the maroon army should have enough to avoid the drop.

Defensively, the visitors defended well, with da Cunha giving an exhibition in goals. Bolger, Lomboto and Dylan Connolly also showed well for the tribesmen. While for the home side, Vaughan, Dawson Devoy and Dayle Rooney all showed glimpses of quality.

Next up for Galway United is a return to Eamonn Deacy Park for the first time in a number of months, as they face Drogheda United at the Terryland venue this Friday night, at 7:45pm.

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