Galway United striker Alan Murphy takes over as manager until the end of the season

Galway United have announced that all time record goalscorer Alan Murphy will take over the reins of the first team with immediate effect until the end of the season.

The club legend replaces former manager Shane Keegan, who was relieved of his first-team management duties during the mid-season break.

Murphy played for the Tribesmen during the majority of his League of Ireland career, as well as enjoying stints at Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Mervue United.

While managing the club's under-17s side, Murphy returned to Éamonn Deacy Park as a player earlier this year following a spell in junior football with West United.

“It’s an opportunity that I didn’t think I’d get this early in my coaching career,” Murphy told the Tribesmen's media team.

“It’s an opportunity I needed to take when I was approached. There are nine games left in the season and it’s going to be a tough task, but I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in.

“Monday and Tuesday’s sessions have gone well, so we’ve hit the ground running and hopefully on Friday we’ll come to Eamonn Deacy Park and give a performance against Athlone Town.

“Hard work is a must. It’s a requirement for the fans that they see a team on the pitch that’s putting it in, doing their all and that there is real passion.

“We want to get a bit of pride back in Galway United. I’d hope there will be a reaction. With nine games left, I’ll be looking for performances and results in every game.

“This is a work in progress, we’re just two sessions in, but we have our own targets and that has to start somewhere.

“I’d urge the public and the supporters of Galway United to come out and support us on Friday and give us that little bit of an extra push and let’s see what momentum we can gain from that.”

Another Galway United legend in Mark Herrick will join the first team coaching staff as Murphy's assistant.

Herrick, who has experience as an assistant manager in the First Division previously with Mervue United under Johnny Glynn, revealed that he is looking forward to an exciting time at the club.

He said: “I’m honoured that Alan has asked me to assist him over the coming weeks, to help the season finish on a positive note hopefully.

“It’s a big challenge ahead and it’s been a difficult time for the club in so many ways, but hopefully if this is a good fit, with a good attitude, we might have a positive ending to the season.”

Keegan's former assistant Gary O’Connor, who took charge of the Tribesmen’s 2-1 defeat tp Shelbourne on Friday, has left the club.