Galway United F.C.

Galway United

Full name	Galway United Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Tribesmen, Tribal Army, Maroon Army
Founded	1937, as Galway Rovers F.C.
Ground	Terryland Park (Capacity: 5,000 (3,300 seats))
Chairman	John McCormick
Coach	John Brennan
League	League of Ireland (Premier Division)
2011	10th
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours

Galway United F.C. (Irish: Cumann Peile Ghaillimh Aontaithe) was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.

Galway first joined the League of Ireland in 1977, having been invited to participate in the League Cup in the previous year.

Galway Rovers made its League of Ireland debut in Terryland Park, Galway, against St. Patricks Athletic on the August 28 of that year.^[1]

Until February 2011, the club's chief executive was ex-derivatives trader Nick Leeson, whose unsupervised speculative trading caused the collapse of Barings Bank, the UK's oldest investment bank.^[2]

History

Foundation and league membership

"The Tribesmen" as Galway United F.C. are known as, was founded as Galway Rovers in the Claddagh district of Galway in 1937. The club achieved great success at junior level and had their first shot at senior football when they competed in the League Cup in 1976. In 1977, the club was invited to join the then League of Ireland and made its debut in Terryland Park against St. Patricks Athletic on the 28th August of that year. The club found it difficult to make an impact in the League Of Ireland at first but gradually improved and reached its first major final in 1981, losing the League Cup final on penalties to Dundalk in Oriel Park. Due to financial difficulties, the company behind the club was dissolved and the club was reformed as Galway United.

New name, new decade, new frontiers

Success was soon to follow. United finished in sixth position in the League in 1985 and, under the stewardship of Tom Lally and Tony Mannion, qualified for the FAI Cup final. Shamrock Rovers F.C. were the victors in Dalymount Park on 28 April 1985. As Shamrock Rovers had already secured European qualification through their league title triumph, the place reserved in Europe for the FAI Cup winners fell to the runners-up. This enabled Galway United to qualify for a historic first appearance in Europe, in the European Cup Winners Cup. The team distinguished themselves in the National Stadium in Copenhagen, when despite finishing with ten men, held Lyngby to a 1-0 victory. A packed Galway Sportsgrounds on the 2nd October saw the Danes hold on for a 4-2 aggregate victory.

Galway United continued their impressive form in the League of Ireland and incredibly remained unbeaten until March 1986 - a club Premier Division record of 16 games. At this stage they were leading the table, ahead of the great Shamrock Rovers side of that era, who went on to win four league titles in a row. On the 2nd March 1986, the two title contenders went head to head in Terryland in a match which would ultimately decide the title. Three goals in the first 35 minutes handed the game to Rovers, who went on to win the game 3-1 and ultimately, the league. Galway United finished runners up and again qualified for Europe as Ireland's UEFA Cup representatives. Meanwhile, on 15 January 1986, United won their first senior trophy as they beat Dundalk 2-0 in the League Cup final. Denis Bonner (brother of Packie) scored for United, along with Paul McGee (17 times capped for Ireland). Galway United's opponents in the UEFA Cup were FC Groningen, who at the time were one of the top sides in the Netherlands. They went on to win 8-2, with the home tie memorable for the fact that it was held in the Gaeltacht area of Carraroe, on a pitch that usually hosted the local Gaelic football team, An Cheathrú Rua.

The 1990s

Fast forward five years and Galway United had consolidated their position in the Premier Division under new manager Joey Malone. In the FAI Cup, United again reached the final, this time held in Lansdowne Road. Old rivals, Shamrock Rovers were the opposition and were seeking their 25th victory in the competition. With five minutes to go on the clock, Johnny Glynn tapped home a late goal, which was enough to win Galway United the FAI Cup and also send them back into Europe. United were drawn against Danish side Odense BK in the European Cup Winners Cup. The first leg was held in the Galway village of Ballinderreen in front of a 6,000 crowd. Odense were much too strong for United, who had lost both Keane and Glynn in the summer, and they went on to win the tie 7-0 on aggregate.

The following season proved to be traumatic for the club, as they were relegated to the First Division for the first time in their history. Tony Mannion returned as manager and Galway United returned to the top flight in style, winning the First Division at the first attempt and also winning the First Division shield. Terryland Park was being redeveloped and the club moved to Crowley Park, the home of local rugby side Galwegians, for one season. The side surpassed all expectations by finishing third in the Premier Division behind Shamrock Rovers and Cork City.

Galway United returned to Terryland Park on 9 October 1994, beating Sligo Rovers. Two weeks later a record Terryland crowd of 7,000 saw United defeat Cork City 2-1, as the floodlit football came to Galway. United remained in the Premier Division until 1996. The cloud of relegation had a silver lining, however, as United won two trophies - the First Division Shield and also the League Cup, both for the second time.

The end of the 1990s and the new millennium

Don O'Riordan was the next person to take the helm at Terryland Park and won promotion to the Premier Division in 1999. His reign as manager Terryland is generally remembered for two FAI Cup campaigns, in which the club reached successive semi-finals in 1999 and 2000. The club lost both games, the first to Finn Harps and the second to Shelbourne. The 1999 semi-final was the first football match to be televised live from Terryland Park on national television. Tony Mannion returned for his third spell as manager in 2001 but Galway United found themselves relegated to the First Division for the third time, by the start of the 2002–2003 campaign.

At the start of the 2005 season, club hero Stephen Lally took over as club manager, but he tendered his resignation from his post just ten games into the 2006 campaign. Tony Cousins was appointed manager of the club on 14 June 2006. Galway United finished 3rd in the 2006 league campaign and were invited to take part in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland for the 2007 season.^[3]

In July 2007, the new 1,500-seater stand at Terryland Park was opened, increasing the seated capacity to 2,900.^[4] That season saw the club involved in a relegation fight for most of the season but avoided the drop and finished 7th.^[5]

The following season saw a poor start costing Cousins his job in April 2008. Jeff Kenna took over in a player-manager capacity. Rumours of financial troubles and the selling of the players within the squad, most notably Derek O'Brien, coupled with the club sitting bottom of the league, relegation loomed on the horizon. However, a surge of great form which saw the United reach the FAI Cup semi-finals gave the club a fighting chance of survival. A 3–0 victory over Finn Harps in the penultimate game of the season put survival in United's own hands and their victory the following week away to U.C.D ensured that Galway United would be playing in the top division in 2009.

Following the departure of Jeff Kenna to St Patrick's Athletic on 14 January 2009, Ian Foster was promoted from his role as assistant manager, signing a two-year contract to take over the reins at the club. Foster succeeded in helping the club avoid the relegation play-offs in 2009, albeit due to Derry City's expulsion from the LOI Premier Division.^[6]

Following the departure of Sean Connor from his post at Dundalk, 24 hours after the final game of the season,^[7] Ian Foster sought permission from Galway United CEO Nick Leeson to speak with Dundalk, but was denied. He subsequently resigned his position and was appointed team manager at Dundalk on 4 December 2009.^[8] Foster cited alleged payment problems during the season as justification for his contact with Dundalk and his subsequent appointment there.^[9]

2010 and beyond

On 10 January 2010, Sean Connor was appointed as team manager by Galway United.^[10] Between the end of 2009 and the start of the 2010 season, Galway United and Dundalk effectively swapped team managers, as Ian Foster moved in the opposite direction to Dundalk.

2011 Season

The 2011 season was Galway United's worst ever, and results-wise one of the worst seasons by a club in League of Ireland history. From 15th April to 9th September, Galway went on astonishing run of twenty-two defeats in a row, which ended after they scraped a 2-2 draw against Dundalk. Due to poor attendances and lack of funding, Galway put up their entire squad for sale in the mid-season transfer window and in doing so, turning completely amateur. All new signings were from local clubs. Galway United sacked manager Sean Connor in September.John Brennan took over, but could do little to help the team as they had already secured bottom of the Premier Division. Galway only scored twenty league goals in the 2011 season and concede an incredible one-hundred-and-fifteen. They only won one league game, beating Bohemians 1-0 on 25th March 2011.

Management

The day to day operations of the club are carried out by a volunteer management committee, consisting of members of the Galway United Supporters Trust.

The committee took over the responsibility with the intention of stabilising the finances of the club and repairing the damage caused during the tenure of Nick Leeson as CEO of the club.

President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins serves as club president in a ceremonial capacity.

Management Structure

President: Michael D. Higgins Chairman: John McCormick Executive Directors (Incomplete list): John McCormick, Colm Feeney, Donal Downes Management Committee Committee Chairperson: David Flaherty Vice Chairperson: Máirtín Ó Mocháin Secretary: Ronan Coleman Vice Secretary: Michael Daly Treasurer: Sean Dunleavy Vice Treasurer : William Furey PRO: Vinny O'Connor Jnr FAI Delegate: Tommy Shields Committee Members: John Flannery Jnr, Morgan O'Brien, Jerry O'Leary, Noel Connolly, Bert O'Leary, Sean Rafferty, Liam Glynn

Last updated, 7 August 2011^[11]

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

Year	Kit manufacturer	Shirt partner
2004	Umbro	Harmack Developments
2005
2006
2007		O Connell Drylining
2008	Rival
2009		Papa Johns
2010
2011

Grounds

Main article: Terryland Park

Terryland Park
Location	Dyke Road, Galway, Ireland
Opened	1937
Owner	Galway & District Football League
Operator	Galway United
Capacity	5,000 (3,300 seated)
Tenants
Galway United (1977–present)

In 1977, the club was invited to join the then League of Ireland. They began using Terryland Park in the same year on the 28th August. Here, they played their first match against St. Patricks Athletic. In 1993, Terryland Park underwent redevelopment. During this time, Galway United played their matches at the Galway Sportsground and Galwegians RFCs Crowley Park. The stadium was to undergo further redevelopment in 2007 after a €500,000 grant was received from the Irish Government in 2006. The money went towards building a new 1,500-seater stand and a new camera platform. This new stand increased the capacity from 3,300 to 5,000.

Terryland Park is due to undergo even more development in the future. It is planned that the new stand, which was built in 2007, will include a shop unit, turnstiles, medical examination and first-aid rooms, toilets, showers, dressing-rooms, a match delegates' room, officials' dressing-room, a new media and reception room, a canteen with facilities for press conference, and TV and radio facilities.

Terryland Park has hosted 5 Ireland under 21 games and other international underage matches. Every year, 80 games are played at Terryland Park with between 25 to 30 of these fixtures involving Galway United.

In 2008, Terryland Park was voted as the best surface in the League of Ireland for the second year running.

Support

The club has a small but loyal fan base based around the city and county of Galway, also extending into south Mayo and north Clare. Galway United were averaging gates of circa 1,000 during the 2011 season. Galway United's only supporters club is GUST ( Galway United Supporters Trust ). Over the years, GUST has provided considerable support to Galway United by way of fund-raising. The fan base of Galway United are known as the Maroon Army.

Current Squad

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

No. Position Player GK Conor Winn GK John Egan DF Laurence Gaughan DF Yob Son DF Paul Sinnott DF Eric Browne DF Stephen Walsh DF Eric Holland MF Rory Gartlan MF Eduardo Dusi

No. Position Player MF Gary Kelly MF Bobby Ryan MF Sean Kelly MF Oscar Sibanda MF Jonathan Keane MF Jin Gu Kim FW Mikey Gilmore FW Alan Murphy FW Ronan Caldwell FW Victor Collins

Managers

Name Years Amby Fogarty 1976-Mar 78 Tommy Callaghan Oct 1978-Mar 79 *Tommy Lally & Eamonn Deacy 1979 John Herrick 1979-81 Mick Cooke Aug 1981 John Herrick Sep 1981-83 Paddy Mulligan 1983-84 Tommy Lally 1984-85 Tony Mannion 1985-88 John Herrick 1988-Nov 88 *Fran Gavin & Denis Bonner Nov 1988-Nov 88 Seamus McDonagh Dec 1988-89 Paul McGee 1989-90 Joey Malone 1990-Dec 91

Name Years *Tommy Lally Dec 1991-Jan 92 Tony Mannion Jan 1992-Oct 95 Denis Clarke Nov 1995-97 Don O'Riordan Jul 1997-01 Dave Connell 2001-Oct 01 Tony Mannion Oct 2001-04 Stephen Lally 2005-May 6 *Alan Gough & Jim Noone May 2006-Jun 06 Tony Cousins Jun 2006-Mar 08 *Billy Clery Mar 2008-Apr 08 Jeff Kenna (player-manager) Apr 2008-Jan 09 Ian Foster Jan 2009-Dec 09 Sean Connor Jan 2010-Sep 11 John Brennan Sep 2011- - -

* Caretaker manager(s)

Personnel

Coaching Staff

First Team Manager: John Brennan Assistant Manager: Billy Clery Goalkeeping Coach: Tommy Lally Club Physiotherapist: James O'Toole Treasurer: Sean Dunleavy 'A' and Underage Manager: Alan Murphy Kit Manager: John Devlin Club Doctor: Dr. Dan Murphy

Last updated, 7 August 2011^[11]

Galway United F.C. seasons

Main article: Galway United F.C. seasons

Recent seasons

Season	League									FAI Cup	League Cup	Top goalscorer
	Division	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	Pos			Name	Goals
2005	First	36	14	11	11	46	43	53	5th	R2	R2	Barry Moran	11
2006	First	36	19	12	5	57	25	69	3rd	R2	R1	Barry Moran	11
2007	Prem	33	7	13	13	28	35	35	8th	R2	R2	Derek Glynn[12]	10
2008	Prem	33	8	8	17	34	49	32	9th	SF	SF	Jay O'Shea[13]	7
2009	Prem	36	12	6	18	36	57	42	7th	R4	QF	Vinny Faherty[14]	8
2010	Prem	36	9	11	16	38	59	38	8th	QF	R1	Karl Sheppard / Stephen O'Donnell	8

Honours

National Titles

• League of Ireland

Runners-up (1): 1985-86

• FAI Cup

Winners (1): 1991

Runners-up (1): 1985

• League of Ireland Cup

Winners (2): 1985-86, 1996-97

Runners-up (1): 1980-81

• League of Ireland First Division

Winners (1): 1992-93

Runners-up (1): 1998-99

• League of Ireland First Division Shield

Winners (2): 1992-93, 1996-97

Regional Titles

• Connacht Senior Cup

Winners (3): 1984-85, 1995-96, 2007-08

European Record

UEFA Cup Winners Cup:

Appearances	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
2	4	0	0	4	2	11

UEFA Cup:

Appearances	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
1	2	0	0	2	2	8

Overall:

Appearances	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
3	6	0	0	6	4	19

Past Opponents

Season	Competition	Country	Team	Score
1985/86	UEFA Cup Winners Cup First Round		Lyngby BK	0-1, 2-3 (2-4 agg.)
1986/87	UEFA Cup First Round		F.C. Groningen	1-5, 1-3 (2-8 agg.)
1991/92	UEFA Cup Winners Cup Qualifying Round		Odense	0-3,0-4 (0-7 agg.)

Records & milestones

Main article: Galway United F.C. records & milestones

References

1. ^ http://www.galwayunitedfc.ie/menu-items/galway-united-club-history.html Galway United Club History
2. ^ http://leagueofirelandblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/leeson-resigns-as-galways-ceo.html
3. ^ RTÉ Sport: Rovers and Galway in new Premiership
4. ^ "Footie mad Sports Minister opens new Terryland Stand". 2007-08-02. http://www.galwayadvertiser.ie/content/index.php?aid=8005&PHPSESSID=b70b319780fb97c281bffd77974aa682. Retrieved 2007-08-16. 
5. ^ Galway United Fixture List 2007 | Galway United Football Club
6. ^ RTÉ Sport: Derry thrown out of League of Ireland
7. ^ RTÉ Sport: Connor vacates manager's post at Dundalk
8. ^ RTÉ Sport: Foster is new boss at Dundalk
9. ^ Galway angry over Foster move - League of Ireland, Soccer - Independent.ie
10. ^ United appoint new manager | Galway United Football Club
11. ^ ^{a b} Galway United Club Directory | Galway United Football Club
12. ^ Galway United Player Stats 2007 | Galway United Football Club
13. ^ Galway United Player Stats 2008 | Galway United Football Club
14. ^ Galway United Player Statistics | Galway United Football Club

External links

Official Website

• Official website

Video content

• Extended match highlights

News sites

• Galway United on RTE Monday Night Soccer
• Watch a Galway United 3-0 victory over Finn Harps courtesy of rte.ie