LEAGUE OF IRELAND:DEMONSTRATING CHARACTER and conviction under duress ensured Bohemians won the 2008 Premier League title, and last night in Galway they displayed those qualities.
Following their good start to the season, Galway were bright early on but Bohemians dealt with the home side’s passion before Jason Byrne pinched two opportunistic second-quarter goals.
Brian Shelley’s clearance was drilled more in hope than expectation after 31 minutes but both Gary Breen and Shane Guthrie failed to deal with the delivery. Byrne gleefully accepted the invitation to steer the Gypsies ahead.
The confident Byrne doubled his account on the cusp of half-time when glancing home Paul Keegan’s corner in a densely populated penalty area.
The second period was short on incident and intrigue as the match fizzled out to its inevitable conclusion and Bohemians journeyed back to the capital content with a job well done.
GALWAY UNITED:Ryan; Conneely (Cooke, 59 mins), Breen, Guthrie, Davoren; O'Shea, McBrien (Edwards, 63 mins), Kelly, McGrath, O'Brien; Faherty (Murphy, 83 mins).
BOHEMIANS:B Murphy; Shelley, Heary, McGuinness, Rossiter; Brennan, Cronin, Keegan, Carey (S Byrne, 85 mins); J Byrne, Crowe (Ndo, 75 mins).
Referee:M Gough (Limerick).
