Season Preview 2017 - Galway United

Manager: Shane Keegan

Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park

Players in: Ronan Murray (Notts County), David Cawley (St Patrick's Athletic), Lee Grace (Wexford Youths), Gavan Holohan (Cork City), Ciaran Nugent (Sligo Rovers).

Players out:
Ryan Connolly, Kevin Horgan (Shamrock Rovers), Killian Cantwell (Finn Harps), Enda Curran, Stephen Walsh (Longford Town).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Kevin Devaney

Last season's winner of the Tommy Keane Player of the Year award has become one of Galway United´s most influential players in little over a year. Devaney moved from Bohemians in January 2016 and has never looked back. Playing down the left wing, the former Finn Harps player utilizes his pace and technique to effectively bamboozle opposition defences. When Devaney spent time on the sidelines through injury, the United attack invariably suffered.

With Ryan Connolly moving to Shamrock Rovers, the creative spark in midfield has fallen to a small pool of players and Devaney is certainly one of them. Having notched seven goals last term, added to his creatively on the ball, the Sligo native is crucial to Galway staying and thriving in the reformed Premier Division.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Ronan Murray

Signed from Notts County in December, Murray has already made a big impact on United´s pre-season friendlies, scoring three times. The 25-year-old striker hails from Bellmullet and has spent nine years in English football plying his trade first with Ipswich Town – partly under Roy Keane – and had loan spells with Torquay United, Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town, before switching to Notts County in 2013.

The departure of Jake Keegan two seasons ago left a gaping hole in United's attack that was alleviated somewhat by the arrival of Vinny Faherty. However, lacking a proven goalscorer as an understudy to an injured or rested Vinny, United´s goal-getting abilities were diminished in his absence. Keegan has addressed this and the Tribesmen have added real quality to their front line by getting Murray to sign for them. The pacey and experienced striker may well prove the difference in tight games this season and, with four front men vying for places, fierce competition may see Murray rise to the top.

How they did last season:

League: 9^th. An underwhelming ninth placed finish to the league was Galway´s reward for some lacklustre performances towards the end of last season.

FAI Cup: Round of 16 (lost 0-2 to Bohemians)

EA Sports Cup: Quarter-final (Lost 2-0 to Limerick)

Reaching the final in 2015 was a huge game for Galway United and they were unlikely to repeat that feat last year. Eventual First Division champions Limerick were good value for this win.

What to expect this season:

A new manager in Shane Keegan brings a fresh impetus and philosophy to football out west. While Keegan has lost important and local players to other clubs, he has drafted in four experienced League of Ireland players, and Ronan Murray from English football. However, similarly to his time at Wexford Youths, Keegan is also determined to give young players their chance to shine.

Keen on cementing youth to be central to his philosophy, Keegan has made a bold statement naming 22-year-old Colm Horgan as club captain. Additionally, Keegan has backed up trust in young players by promoting no less than four players from last season's under-19 side that reached the final of that competition. Declan Sharkey also arrives from Finn Harps and is eligible for the under-19s.

The belief in youth, mixed with experienced players, will be tested severely in a season where three teams are to be relegated. Admirable as Keegan´s motives may be, last season proved that injuries to senior players can scupper thoughts of Galway United being a comfortable mid-table team, or better. If injuries do hit, could the rookies handle the pressure of a relegation six pointer? Could they handle the noise and atmosphere of Turners Cross? At some stage in their burgeoning careers no doubt they will have to but for a club dreaming of bigger and better things, Keegan´s decisions will either be lauded or criticised by The Tribesmen´s passionate supporters. Howeer, relegation aside, Keegan should be given time to prove his point.

That being said, Galway United should be well equipped to avoid a relegation dog-fight in 2017 and will finish just above the dreaded tenth position.


Title Odds: 80/1

First game: Drogheda United (home), 24^th February (kick-off 7.45pm).