Galway United F.C.

This article is about the men's professional football team. For the women's team associated to the same club, see Galway United W.F.C.

Galway United Football Club (Irish: Cumann Peile Ghaillimh Aontaithe) is an Irish professional 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.

Galway United

Full name	Galway United Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Tribesmen
Founded	1937
Stadium	Eamonn Deacy Park
Capacity	5,000 (3,300 seats)
Owner	Comer Group
Chairman	Jonathan Corbett
Manager	John Caulfield
League	League of Ireland Premier Division
2024	5th of 10
Website	www.galwayunitedfc.ie
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

History

See also: List of Galway United F.C. seasons

Galway Rovers

Galway United F.C. were founded as Rovers F.C. in the Claddagh district of Galway in honour of Sligo Rovers, the first League of Ireland club outside of Leinster to win the league in 1937. 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 and decline

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 demise and rise

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]

Galway United's home ground, Eamonn Deacy Park

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]

Players

First Team Squad

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  IRL Brendan Clarke 2 DF  IRL Cian Byrne (on loan from Bohemians) 3 DF  IRL Regan Donelon 4 DF  IRL Rob Slevin 5 DF  IRL Killian Brouder 7 FW  IRL Stephen Walsh 8 DF  IRL Greg Cunningham (captain) 9 FW  NZL Moses Dyer 10 MF  IRL David Hurley 11 MF  AUS Daniel Stynes 12 MF  IRL Sean Kerrigan 15 MF  USA Patrick Hickey

No. Pos. Nation Player 16 GK  WAL Evan Watts (on loan from Swansea City) 17 MF  USA Vincent Borden 18 MF  NIR Bobby Burns 19 FW  NIR Max Wilson (on loan from Preston North End) 20 MF  IRL Jimmy Keohane 21 DF  IRL Colm Horgan 22 MF  IRL Conor McCormack 24 MF  IRL Ed McCarthy 26 DF  IRL Garry Buckley 28 FW  IRL Brian Cunningham 29 FW  IRL Cillian Tollett 33 DF  CMR Jeannot Esua

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player – MF  IRL Steven Healy (on loan at Treaty United) – FW  IRL David Tarmey (on loan at Treaty United)

Under-20 Squad

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

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK  IRL Kieran McDonagh — GK  IRL Leon Whyte — DF  IRL Ronan Bambara — DF  IRL Patrick Baranyai — DF  IRL Declan Daly — DF  IRL Churchill Idemudia — DF  IRL Liam Murray — DF  IRL Milo O'Malley — DF  IRL Billy Regan

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  IRL Emilio Asogu — MF  IRL Darren Darcy — MF  IRL Dara Kavanagh — MF  IRL Donnacha McNamara — MF  IRL Gerard O'Riordan — MF  IRL Junior Thiam — FW  IRL Gradi Lomboto — FW  IRL Gavin Smyth — FW  IRL Alex Van Strien Murphy

Technical staff

Position	Name
Manager	John Caulfield[26]
Assistant Manager	Ollie Horgan[27]
First Team Coach	Alan Murphy [28]
First Team Analyst	Robbie Crosbie
Performance Coach	Danny Broderick
Physiotherapist	Richard Grier
Goalkeeping Coach	Gianluca Aimi
Academy Manager	Sean Kimberley[29]

European record

Overview

Competition	Matches	W	D	L	GF	GA
UEFA Cup	2	0	0	2	2	8
European Cup Winners' Cup	4	0	0	4	2	11
TOTAL	6	0	0	6	4	19

Matches

Season	Competition	Round	Opponent	Home	Away	Aggregate
1985–86	European Cup Winners' Cup	1R	Lyngby	2–3	0–1	2–4
1986–87	UEFA Cup	1R	Groningen	1–3	1–5	2–8
1991–92	European Cup Winners' Cup	QR	Odense	0–3	0–4	0–7

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

Year	Kit manufacturer	Shirt partner
1984/85	Adidas	Glen C
1985/86
1990/91		Wrangler
1991/92	Spall
1992/93	O'Neills
1993/94		McDonald's Gaillimh
1994/95	Adidas
1995/96		Digital
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/00		Compaq
2000/01	Prostar
2001/02	Stanno
2002/03	Erreà	Hewlett-Packard
2003		Radisson SAS Hotel Galway
2004	Umbro	Harmack Developments
2005
2006
2007		O'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
2025

Notable former players

Republic of Ireland senior internationals

Fran Brennan Greg Cunningham Eamonn Deacy Amby Fogarty

David Forde John Herrick Jeff Kenna Jim McDonagh

Paul McGee Ryan Manning Paddy Mulligan Peter Thomas

League of Ireland XI representatives

Denis Clarke John Herrick Des Kennedy

Gary Rogers John Russell Karl Sheppard

Eddie van Boxtel Larry Wyse Johnny Matthews

Republic of Ireland U23 internationals

• Seamus Conneely
• Shane Guthrie
• Stephen O'Donnell
• Jay O'Shea

Republic of Ireland U21 internationals

Seamus Conneely Pat Dolan John Fitzgerald

Tony Folan Alan Gough Stephen Grant

Jay O'Shea Karl Sheppard Rory Hale

Republic of Ireland U19 internationals

Mick Cooke Laurence Gaughan John Russell

Alex Murphy

Republic of Ireland U18 internationals

Ryan Casey Donal Higgins Don O'Riordan

Alex Murphy Adam O'Halloran Brian Cunningham

Other senior internationals

Jonah Ayunga Wesley Charles Eric Lavine Regillio Nooitmeer Alvin Rouse

Managerial history

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

Honours

• League of Ireland Premier Division
  • Runners Up: 1985–86: 1
• FAI Cup
  • Winners: 1990–91: 1
  • Runners Up: 1984–85: 1
• League of Ireland Cup
  • Winners: 1985–86, 1996–97: 2
  • Runners Up: 1979–80, 2015: 2
• League of Ireland First Division
  • Winners: 1992–93, 2023: 2
  • Runners Up: 1998–99:, 2021 2
• League of Ireland First Division Shield:
  • Winners: 1992–93, 1996–97: 2
• Connacht Senior League
  • Winners: 1984–85, 1985–86, 1987–88: 3
  • Runners Up: 1986–87, 1993–94: 2
• Connacht Senior Cup
  • Winners: 1984–85, 1995–96, 2007–08: 3
• Connacht Senior League Challenge Cup
  • Winners: 1998–99: 1
  • Runners Up: 1986–87, 1993–94: 2
• Connacht Junior Cup
  • Winners: 1957–58: 1
  • Runners Up: 1946–47: 1

Source:^[3][30][31]