Cunningham returns after injury lay-off

While the FAI continues to drag its feet here over the return of the League of Ireland, we are into the second week of the return to football in the top two flights in England.

The 2019/20 Premier League and Championship seasons have resumed as the COVID-19 restrictions in the UK are eased, but both League One and League Two in England, as well as the Women’s Super League and Championship, have been declared as complete, as have all four leagues in Scotland.

That has resulted in relegation for two clubs featuring Galway players, with Niamh Fahey’s Liverpool WFC side being relegated from the Women’s Super League; while Joe Shaughnessy and Southend United have been relegated from League One.

There was better news for Shaughnessy’ younger brother, Conor, as Burton Albion finished 12th in the League One table, five places higher than Seamus Conneely and his Accrington Stanley side.

Up in Scotland, Daryl Horgan and his Hibernian side finished comfortably mid-table after Scottish clubs voted to declare the season over, but he could understandably be somewhat disappointed with the decision to end the season, as Hibs were looking forward to a Scottish Cup semi-final with city rivals, Hearts, before the season was cancelled. Hearts were relegated as a result of the season being declared complete.

As for the leagues that have resumed, Aaron Connolly was in action in this past week for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League; with Ryan Manning also back on the pitch with QPR in the Championship.

In its club-by-club preview for the return of the Premier League, The Guardian newspaper singled out Connolly as the potential key player for the Seagulls, and he certainly made an impact on the two games since the return of the league.

He started on the bench in Brighton’s first game back, at home to Arsenal on Saturday, but was thrown into the action in the 71st minute, three minutes after the home side went 1-0 down.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.