2018 Season Preview - Galway United

Manager: Shane Keegan

 

Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park

 

Players in: Ryan Connolly (Shamrock Rovers), Stephen Walsh (Athlone Town), Tadhg Ryan (Huddersfield Town), Carlton Ubaezuono (Dundalk), Robbie Williams (Cork City), Conor Layng (Athlone Town), Conor Gleeson (Athlone Town), Alan Murphy (West United), Arec Mamala (Coole FC).

 

Players out: Colm Horgan (Cork City), Rory Hale (Derry City), David Cawley (Sligo Rovers), Stephen Folan (Dundalk), Ronan Murray (Dundalk FC), Gavan Holohan (Waterford FC), Kevin Devaney (Bohemians).

 

Extratime.ie Key Man: Ryan Connolly

Connolly returns to the club that he captained during the 2015 and 2016 seasons before moving to Shamrock Rovers last year.



 

The midfielder was somewhat of a surprise announcement for Shane Keegan’s side after being released by Shamrock Rovers at the conclusion of the 2017 season and he drops down a division with his return to the west.

 

During his first spell as a Tribesman, the Mayo man was an integral part of the United squad that claimed promotion in 2014 and he will surely be looking to drive Galway back up to the Premier Division once again this season.

 

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Eoin McCormack



After signing for Galway midway through the 2017 season from junior side Ballinasloe Town the young striker instantly made an impact.

 

The former Athlone Town player impressed the Galway United faithful with his work rate and managed to find the net a number of times as they eventually succumbed to relegation last year.

 

Shane Keegan had to fight off interest from a number of Premier Division clubs to hold on to McCormack and if he manages to get his shooting boots on this could be a huge year for both player and club.

 

How they did last season:

League:

With three teams being relegated from the Premier Division last season it was always going to be a dogfight at the bottom of the table and unfortunately for The Tribesmen they came out on the wrong side.

 

Some observers in the west will claim that last year’s Galway squad was potentially the best in many years, yet their failure to win important games as well as drawing far too many matches left them susceptible to relegation.

 

Defensive frailties also added to the side’s woes with the club managing just a single clean sheet in the Premier Division during the 2017 campaign.

 

It wasn’t until the last day of the season that United were officially relegated with a 4-3 loss to Dundalk at home in Eamonn Deacy Park. However, even in the last third of the season the side had several chances to take important points from games but came up short.

 

Their 3-3 draw with Bray Wanderers late in the season springs to mind as a defining moment in the season. Star player for the Tribesmen last year Ronan Murray had a chance to give his side the three points with a last minute penalty.

 

The striker struck the ball the same side as his penalty earlier in the game and Peter Cherrie saved. Not only was this one of Galway’s 14 draws last season, it was one of the many moments throughout the season that, had they won, they would have ultimately saved themselves from relegation.

 

FAI Cup:

The Tribesmen had mixed fortunes in the FAI Cup in 2017. Shane Keegan’s men began their campaign away to Killester United last August. It took a Ronan Murray hat-trick, extra time and penalties to spare the club’s blushes on that occasion.

 

United were much improved in the next round against St Patrick’s Athletic. Goals from Jonah Ayunga and Eoin McCormack brushed the Inchicore side aside but this came at a cost. Goal scorer Ayunga, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion after spending the first half of the season with Sligo Rovers, broke his leg, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

 

Galway hosted Limerick in the quarter-finals of the competition but a disappointing performance saw the side dumped out of the competition with goals from Rodrigo Tosi and Shane Duggan.

 

EA Sports Cup:

Despite the tough Premier Division campaign, United made it all the way to the semi-finals of the EA Sports Cup overcoming Mayo League, Derry City and Sligo Rovers on their way.

 

Their cup run came to an abrupt end after an extremely lacklustre performance against eventual winners Dundalk. United were toothless going forward and goals from Jamie McGrath and Robbie Benson had the side well buried before a Kevin Devaney own goal added to their woes later on in the game.

 

What to expect this season:

Fans in Galway will be quietly confident that they can gain promotion straight back up to the Premier Division this season. The First Division isn’t what it used to be however, and Shane Keegan should be prepared for an extremely competitive campaign.

 

The real worry is whether or not things can come together for the Tribesmen. Poor defensive tactics cost the side last year, along with the loss of Lee Grace to Shamrock Rovers mid-season, leading to an incredibly painful final day relegation and this is something the manager will have to try to sort out for the upcoming season.

 

Holding on to Eoin McCormack could be key for Galway as the striker could have the potential to lead the First Division goal scoring charts if all goes well. With players like Ryan Connolly and club legend Alan Murphy re-signing as well as highly regarded goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan returning from England to play for United, there’s plenty of talent and experience for Shane Keegan to choose from.

 

If he can keep his top players fit for the season, they will be well able to make the playoffs at the very least in 2018.

 

Title Odds: 9/4

 

First game: Reigniting an old rivalry for the first time since 2008, Galway United will face Athlone Town in a competitive fixture. United start their First Division campaign at home in Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday 23 February, kick-off is at 7:45pm.