Alan Reynolds says Bohemians enjoyed the drama of their penalty shootout progression in the FAI Cup but got straight back to knuckling down to work as they aim to finish the season on a high.
Bohs make the trip out west to take on Galway United buoyed by coming out on the right side of an enthralling 8-7 shootout against St Pat’s on Saturday to progress to the semi-finals of the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup where they will host Waterford.
The manner of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat sparked scenes of delirium in the compact away section at Richmond Park.
Having lost two cup finals to the Saints in the past five years, Bohs fans feared the worst having spurned opportunities to take the lead during the 90 minutes of normal time, going behind in the first period of extra time, and having had their first spot-kick of the shootout saved by Pat’s keeper Joseph Anang.
Reynolds said: “I think it’s important that players enjoy the moment after wins like that. We’ve players here who were involved in the cup final defeats against St Pat’s, and we have had a patchy record against Pat’s in Richmond Park, so it was a big release for the players and our supporters to get over the line on penalties.
“It was a really, really tough game. Both sides were up for it. I thought we edged it in the 90 minutes and had the better chances, so to go a goal down in extra time was a big test of our character.
“Pat’s sat deep and defended their lead well, and we struggled to break them down. We got a big slice of luck with the equaliser, an own goal. There have been plenty of games over the past while where we haven’t had any luck – you don’t have to look back too far, take the two legs against Midtjylland – so I think we deserved that bit of luck on Saturday.
“When you have your first penalty saved, you are really, really up against it and there’s little to no room for not scoring another, so to come through all of that to get through to the semi-final, you have to enjoy that. The players who stood up to take the penalties deserve that moment, and our fans did too.
“But it’s just one game, one great moment. We want to share more moments like that with our fans and that’s the mindset of our group right now. Games are tough in this league, we found a way to progress in the cup on Saturday, but we have to find a way to keep picking up wins between now and the end of the season. So you enjoy the moment but then you move on quickly and knuckle down to work for the next one.”
The need to refocus attention quickly is underlined by the problems Friday’s opposition, Galway United, have caused Bohs in the past.
In their most recent meeting, at Dalymount Park last month, John Caulfield’s men came away with a 1-1 draw in a game that left Bohs frustrated having been the dominant side.
But it is a trip to Eamon Deacy Park in October 2025, towards the end of last season, that serves as the biggest reminder not to take the Tribesmen lightly – Caulfield’s side inflicting a 2-0 defeat that almost derailed Bohs’ hopes of qualifying for Europe this term.
Reynolds said: “I don’t think anyone who’s been at the club over the past number of years, whether it’s me, our players, or our supporters, needs any reminder of how Galway can make life difficult for you.
“Over the past couple of seasons, they’ve come to Dalymount and won and gotten draws, and we’ve lost to them at Eamon Deacy Park. Any team managed by John Caulfield is always incredibly well organised, disciplined and hard to beat, so we need everyone pushing themselves to the max, and we need to be ruthless in both boxes.
“We’re obviously going there in good confidence after a positive run of form, but we’ve only got those results by working really hard for them, and there can be no let-up in that or we’ll be punished.”
Team news
Sam Todd (quad) remains out.
Tickets: https://www.galwayunitedfc.ie/galway-united-tickets-bohs