Cup final slot recalls the golden days for Bohs

Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

Bohemians might no longer be the force of old, but an appearance in the FAI Junior Cup final of 1941 and subsequent loss against St Patrick’s Athletic gives an indication of where they came from and their standing in the game.

In the years that followed, Premier Division titles, Connacht Junior Cups and various local cup successes were all part of an acceptable standard at the club known as Galway Bohs.

Famous names wore their colours, but time waits for no one, and recent years have proven to be difficult for one of the city’s most decorated clubs.

A very successful schoolboy academy now exists as the club went back to its roots, and the building blocks are being laid for the future. At adult level, Bohemians have found themselves mainly in the lower divisions of the local league, but a work in progress appears to be moving in the right direction.

A failure to defeat Corrib Celtic B in their final league game cost them promotion from Division 3, missing out by a point to a Corofin United side that they are set to face in the Jack Lillis Cup final.

On Saturday afternoon they produced probably their best performance of the season when recording a 6-0 semi-final success over Kiltullagh. Four up at the break, they were in command from the early exchanges, when Danny Marnell scored the first of his opening-half brace.

Veteran striker Aidan Naughton has scored goals in each of the last three decades, and he added goals in each half as he brought his tally for the season to 21. Dylan McConville added a free-kick, before Dillon O’Connor brought their scoring to a conclusion in a comprehensive victory.

Two goals from James Whelan helped Corofin United defeat Salthill Devon B 2-1 in the other semi-final on Saturday. The final is schedule for Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday week, April 24.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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