Galway United F.C.

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Galway United
Badge of Galway United FC (2013).png
Full nameGalway United Football Club
Nickname(s)The Tribesmen
Founded1937
Stadium Eamonn Deacy Park
Capacity5,000 (3,300 seats)
OwnerGalway United Friends Co-Op
ChairmanJonathan Corbett
Manager John Caulfield
League League of Ireland Premier Division
2023 League of Ireland First Division, 1st of 10 (promoted)
Website Club website
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Galway United Football Club (Irish: Cumann Peile Ghaillimh Aontaithe) is an Irish association football club based in Galway. They play in the League of Ireland Premier Division following promotion from the First Division in 2023. They were founded as Galway Rovers F.C. during the 1930s. They made their League of Ireland debut in 1977–78 and changed their name to Galway United in 1981–82. After suffering financial difficulties, the club dropped out of the League of Ireland after the 2011 season but in 2014 Galway United returned initially playing as Galway F.C. for a season. Like other sports teams from the county, Galway United are nicknamed "The Tribesmen", after the 14 "tribes" of Galway, the merchant families that established the city.

Contents

fans

atendance

When Galway United plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division, they regularly sell out every seat, but on average they fill around 80% of the seats. However, when they play in the League of Ireland First Division, the stadium is never sold out, and sometimes attendance drops under 50%. However, in the last 5 years, attendance has risen.

ultras

Galway United has an Ultras group called the Maroon Army Ultras. There's some debate about when they started, but most people think it was between 2010 and 2013. The Maroon Army Ultras are famous for their tifos an chants. They also have also formed a friendship with the ultras from Aberdeen F.C.

History

Galway Rovers

Galway United F.C. were founded as Rovers F.C. in the Claddagh district of Galway. The club's website claims the club was founded in 1937. However, according to a Galway Advertiser report, the club was active in 1933, winning a local junior competition known as the Celtic Shield. The first recorded mention of a Rovers team dates back to a meeting at 28 Dominick Street on 20 September 1898 but it's not known if this was related to the future Rovers club [1] By 1937 Rovers were fielding youth teams as well as a junior side. Rovers won the Connacht Junior Cup in 1958 and they also played in the Western League. Rovers first gained national attention when they were invited to play in the 1976–77 League of Ireland Cup. In 1977–78 they made their debut in the League of Ireland. They played their first League of Ireland game on 28 August 1977 at Terryland Park against St. Patrick's Athletic. Eamonn Deacy scored Rovers' first League of Ireland goal on 2 October 1977. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

1980s

In 1980–81 Rovers reached the final of the League of Ireland Cup, but lost on penalties to Dundalk. In the 1981–82 season, Galway Rovers changed their name to Galway United and under their new name, the club reached two cup finals in successive seasons. United made their first appearance in an FAI Cup final in 1984–85 but lost 1–0 to Shamrock Rovers. In 1985–86 United became founder members of the League of Ireland Premier Division and finished second behind Shamrock Rovers in the new division's inaugural season. In 1985–86 United won its first major trophy after defeating Dundalk 2–0 in the League of Ireland Cup final. Denis Bonner and Paul McGee scored the vital goals. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

1990s

Galway United made a good start to the 1990s, winning their first FAI Cup and qualifying for Europe for a third time. In the 1990–91 FAI Cup final at Lansdowne Road, United defeated Shamrock Rovers 1–0. With five minutes to go on the clock, captain Johnny Glynn scored a late goal. In 1991–92 United was relegated to the First Division for the first time, but the following season, 1992–93, they returned to the Premier Division after winning the First Division title and the League of Ireland First Division Shield. The club finished 1993-94 in a respectable 3rd place.

In 1995–96 United were relegated for a second time. In 1996–97 United won the League of Ireland Cup defeating Cork City 4–2 over two legs along with the First Division Shield. It was the second time United had won both trophies.

United remained in the First Division until 1998–99 when, under Don O'Riordan, they were promoted to the Premier Division after finishing as runners-up in the First Division to Drogheda United. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

2000s

The 2000s were not a successful decade for Galway United. Ten different managers took charge of United during this era and, between them, they managed to win just one amateur trophy, the 2007–08 Connacht Senior Cup. In 2001–02 United were relegated to the League of Ireland First Division and they did not return to the Premier Division until 2007 [8] In April 2005 United appointed Nick Leeson as commercial manager. He then became general manager in late November 2005 and by July 2007 he had become the club's CEO. [9] [10] By the end of the decade United were joined in the League of Ireland by two other Galway–based teams, Mervue United and Salthill Devon. [11]

2010s

By 2010 Galway United had debts estimated to be between €35,000 and €70,000. In 2011, after Nick Leeson resigned as CEO, the Galway United board of directors and the Galway United Supporters Trust ("GUST"), which had been established in 2001, came to an agreement under which the latter group took over financial responsibility for the club and the day-to-day running of the team. [9] [11] [12] [13] However, after the 2011 League of Ireland Premier Division season, in which Galway United lost 32 out of 36 games, this arrangement broke down. In December 2011 it was announced that Galway United would not be competing in the 2012 League of Ireland First Division season. Meanwhile, GUST unsuccessfully applied to join the League of Ireland as an independent club and continued to support the Galway United team playing in the League of Ireland U19 Division. [14] [15] [16]

In 2012 a report commissioned by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) recommended that Galway city and County Galway should be represented in the League of Ireland by a single club or team based at Eamonn Deacy Park. The O'Connor Report also recommended that GUST, Salthill Devon, Mervue United and the Galway Football Association, should work together to form such a club. [17] GUST was reluctant to support this "merger" [18] but eventually agreed.

Following the conclusion of the 2013 season, both Mervue United and Salthill Devon withdrew from the League of Ireland First Division to make way for a team known as Galway F.C. A new board of directors was established featuring representatives from GUST, Salthill Devon, Mervue United and the GFA. [3] [19] [20] In 2014 Galway F.C. played in the First Division and after finishing third and winning a play-off they gained promotion to the 2015 League of Ireland Premier Division. Before the start of the season Galway F.C. was renamed Galway United. [3] In 2015 the club had the opportunity to record a third League of Ireland Cup success when they played St. Patrick's Athletic in the final at Eamonn Deacy Park, however they lost the tie 4–3 in a penalty shoot out following a scoreless draw. [21]

On 27 October 2017, Galway United were relegated to the League of Ireland First Division after a 4–3 loss to Dundalk in their final game of the 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division at Eamonn Deacy Park. [22] Despite finishing the 2017 season in 10th place, a normally safe position, a change in league format ahead of the 2018 season meant that this was not enough for the club to retain its place in the top flight.

2020s

It was announced on 30 March 2022, that brothers Brian and Luke Comer of the Comer Property Group would be taking majority ownership of the football club which had been operating under a fan owned model since its re-emergence in 2014. Following a vote of the supporters trust, 82% backed the move which would see the Comer brothers take an 85% ownership stake in the club. They had announced an initial influx of half a million euro into the club with ambitions to take it back to the Premier Division. [23]

In October 2022, the club announced that it would be launching a women's team, to compete in League of Ireland Women's Premier Division from the 2023 season onwards. On 23 July 2023 the women's team made history by winning the inaugural All-Island Cup in their maiden season, defeating Cliftonville Ladies F.C. 1–0 in the final at The Showgrounds, Sligo.

On 22 September 2023, Galway United won the League of Ireland First Division title for the second time in the club's history with five matches to spare, when they defeated Kerry FC 4–0. This ensured a return to top flight football for the first time since 2017. [24] They finished the league season with a record total of 94 points, with 98 goals scored and a 100% home win record.

Grounds

Galway United's principal home ground is Eamonn Deacy Park, previously known as Terryland Park. In 1993 while Terryland Park underwent redevelopment, Galway United played their matches at the Galway Sportsgrounds and at Crowley Park. In 1985 Galway United also played a home European game at the Sportsgrounds. On the other two occasions United qualified for Europe they played their home games at the home grounds of Carraroe GAA and Ballinderreen GAA. [3] [25]

Personnel

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Brendan Clarke
2 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Conor O'Keeffe
3 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Regan Donelon
4 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Rob Slevin
5 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Killian Brouder
6 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Maurice Nugent
7 FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Stephen Walsh
8 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Aobh Dervin
9 FW Flag of Algeria.svg  ALG Wassim Aouachria
10 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL David Hurley
11 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Karl O'Sullivan
12 MF Flag of Albania.svg  ALB Leo Gaxha
No.Pos.NationPlayer
15 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Patrick Hickey
16 GK Flag of England.svg  ENG Joe Wright
17 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Vincent Borden
19 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Francely Lomboto
20 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Tom Costello
21 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Colm Horgan
22 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Conor McCormack
24 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Ed McCarthy
26 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Garry Buckley
30 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Al-Amin Kazeem (on loan from Colchester United)
33 DF Flag of Cameroon.svg  CMR Jeannot Esua

[26]

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Steven Healy(on loan at Kerry FC until end of 2024 season)
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Daire McCarthy(on loan at Kerry FC until end of 2024 season)
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL David Tarmey(on loan at Treaty United until end of 2024 season)

Technical staff

PositionName
Manager John Caulfield
Assistant Manager Ollie Horgan
First Team AnalystRobbie Crosbie
Performance CoachDanny Broderick
PhysiotherapistRichard Grier
KitmanDarra Hislop
Goalkeeping CoachGianluca Aimi
Head of Youth DevelopmentJohnny Glynn
Under-19 ManagerBrendan O'Connor
Under-19 CoachPaul Sinnott
Under-19 CoachJohn O'Connor
Under-17 ManagerMartin Devlin
Under-17 CoachGerry Martin
Under-17 CoachGerry Heaney
Under-17 Strength & ConditioningSeán Murphy
Under-15 ManagerAnthony O'Neill
Under-15 CoachColm Branagan
Under-15 CoachMichael Flannery
Under-14 ManagerXavi Vazquez
Under-14 CoachGary Traynor
Under-14 CoachJason Murphy

Management

PositionStaff
ChairmanJonathan Corbett
SecretaryJohn Flannery
Media OfficerJonathan Higgins
Graphic DesignerMorgan O'Brien
Content CreationPaul Mladjenovic

European record

Overview

CompetitionMatchesWDLGFGA
UEFA Cup 200228
European Cup Winners' Cup 4004211
TOTAL6006419

Matches

SeasonCompetitionRoundOpponentHomeAway Aggregate
1985–86 European Cup Winners' Cup 1R Flag of Denmark.svg Lyngby 2–30–12–4
1986–87 UEFA Cup 1R Flag of the Netherlands.svg Groningen 1–31–52–8
1991–92 European Cup Winners' Cup QR Flag of Denmark.svg Odense 0–30–40–7

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

Year Kit manufacturerShirt partner
1984/85 Adidas Glen C
1985/86
1990/91 Wrangler
1991/92Spall
1992/93 O'Neills
1993/94 McDonald's Gaillimh
1994/95 Adidas
1995/96 Digital
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/00 Compaq
2000/01Prostar
2001/02Stanno
2002/03 Erreà Hewlett-Packard
2003 Radisson SAS Hotel Galway
2004 Umbro Harmack Developments
2005
2006
2007O'Connell Drylining
2008 Rival
2009 Papa John's
2010
2011
2014 Macron Comer Group Ireland
2015
2016 Uhlsport
2017
2018
2019 Puma
2020
2021 O'Neills
2022
2023
2024

Notable former players

Republic of Ireland senior internationals
League of Ireland XI representatives
Republic of Ireland U23 internationals
Republic of Ireland U21 internationals
Republic of Ireland U19 internationals
Republic of Ireland U18 internationals
Other senior internationals

Managerial history

DatesName
1976–1978 Flag of Ireland.svg Amby Fogarty
1978–1979 Flag of Scotland.svg Tommy Callaghan
1979–1983 Flag of Ireland.svg John Herrick
1983–1984 Flag of Ireland.svg Paddy Mulligan
1984–1985 Flag of Ireland.svg Tom Lally
1985–1988 Flag of Ireland.svg Tony Mannion
1988 Flag of Ireland.svg John Herrick
1988–1989 Flag of Ireland.svg Seamus McDonagh
1989–1990 Flag of Ireland.svg Paul McGee
1990–1991 Flag of Ireland.svg Joey Malone
1992–1995 Flag of Ireland.svg Tony Mannion
1995–1997 Flag of Ireland.svg Denis Clarke
1997–2001 Flag of Ireland.svg Don O'Riordan
2001 Flag of Ireland.svg Dave Connell
2001–2004 Flag of Ireland.svg Tony Mannion
2005–2006 Flag of Ireland.svg Stephen Lally
2006–2008 Flag of Ireland.svg Tony Cousins
2008 Flag of Ireland.svg Jeff Kenna
2009 Flag of England.svg Ian Foster
2010–2011 Ulster Banner.svg Sean Connor
2014–2016 Flag of Ireland.svg Tommy Dunne
2017–2018 Flag of Ireland.svg Shane Keegan
2018–2020 Flag of Ireland.svg Alan Murphy
2021– Flag of Ireland.svg John Caulfield

Honours

Source: [3] [27] [28]

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