Teenagers Adam Rooney and Colin Kelly sign new deals with Galway United

Galway United have confirmed that teenagers Adam Rooney and Colin Kelly have signed new deals as Alan Murphy looks to rebuild his squad after a disappointing 2018 campaign.

Rooney made his first team debut for the Tribesmen in April this year in a 1-0 Connacht Derby defeat to Sligo Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park in the EA Sports Cup.

The 18-year-old centre-back made five further appearances for the Tribesmen as Murphy opted for a younger age profile after taking the reins for the latter part of the season.

 “I feel the coming season is going to be a real breakthrough year for Adam,” Murphy told the club’s official media team following the conclusion of the deal,

“Adam has many different abilities, he can be a tough-tackling centre-half, he can be a ball-playing centre-half and he’s very mobile. That’s just Adam Rooney in 2018, what will he be like in 2020?

“You just need to look at past Galway United players in Irish Schools teams. I’d go straight to Ryan Manning and look at the jump he made straight after being named Irish Schools Player of the Year.

“That’s exactly what Adam can do, and I think he’s only working at half pace with regard to his development. He has huge potential and ability.”

Also re-signing for United is talented striker Colin Kelly. Kelly, 17, impressed at the National League for his hometown club with 30 goals for the club’s under-17 side.

The young Galway teenager enjoyed a stellar 2018 with his goals also firing the Connacht Schools side to the Interprovincial title last month.

His first-team manager Alan Murphy is excited by the potential of his young star who also has the not-so-small matter of the Leaving Certificate to complete in June 2019.



“Colin has all the ability and I don’t think there’s a player that wants it as much either. He’s very grounded and wise beyond his years. He knows he’s going to have to be patient at times.

“He’s now going into a senior setup and at times will be back in with the under-19s, moving between both, which is what is needed for his development.”