REFEREE Eoghan O’ Shea made a key decision late on to rule out a potential winner from Patrick Hickey, who thought he had secured victory for his side.
This decision concluded a brilliant game where Bohs dominated the first half, and Galway fought valiantly in the second.
Ultimately, the home team had the better chances and were left scratching their heads after their late misfortune.
Bohs had a dream start, going ahead in the 4th minute. The ball ricocheted around the box after a set-piece, and Conor O’ Keeffe conceded a penalty with a rash challenge.
Dayle Rooney slotted the penalty into the corner of the net, making it 1-0. Bohs grew in confidence after the goal and dominated the early exchanges.
James Clarke, Rooney, and Danny Grant were all sharp as Bohs passed and moved freely, unsettling the Galway backline. Adam McDonnell came closest to doubling the lead, with his shot from 18 yards being stopped only by the post.
He had an even better chance later in the half but, after turning clear of the defense, blasted over with the goal at his mercy.
United showed some signs of life, with Maurice Nugent having a great effort well saved by Kacper Chorazka towards the end of the half.
The rebound fell to Patrick Hickey, but his volley sailed over. The first half, however, belonged to Bohs, and James Akintunde showed plenty of danger against an unusually sluggish home side.
Bohs started the second half better too, with Jordan Flores coming close with a vicious strike from the edge of the box that just curled wide.
They would rue their missed chances because Rob Slevin equalized in the 50th minute.
Ed McCarthy’s long throw couldn’t be cleared, and after a scrum in the box, Slevin touched home for a goal that resembled a pushover try.
United piled on the pressure after this goal, enjoying a new lease of life. They forced several corners, with Garry Buckley coming close with a header from the fourth.
McCarthy saw a superb shot curl just wide after more good attacking play from his side, led brilliantly by Stephen Walsh up front.
Chorazka made perhaps the biggest save of the game from Buckley after an in-swinging free-kick by David Hurley.
GALWAY UNITED 1 - 1 BOHEMIANS
Galway United: Clarke 7; Esua 8, Slevin 7 (Hurley 55, 7), Brouder 7, O’ Keeffe 5 (Burns 45, 7); McCarthy 8 (Lomboto 78, 5), Nugent 7, Hickey 8, Buckley 7, Keohane 7; Walsh 8 (Uzokwe 90, N/A)
Bohemians: Chorazka 8; Miller 7 (Mills 68), Byrne 7, Carroll 7 (Keita 83, N/A), Kirk 7; Grant 8 (McDaid 83, 5), Clarke 7 (Tierney 63, 6), Flores 8, McDonnell 8, Rooney 7; Akintunde 7
Man of the Match: Adam McDonnell
Referee: E. O’ Shea