Don O’Riordan named as new Galway WFC manager

Former Galway United manager Don O’Riordan was last night unveiled as the new head coach of Galway Women’s FC for the new season, replacing Nigel Keady who led the team on their debut season in the Bus Éireann National Women’s League.

Dublin native O’Riordan (57), who was Galway United manager from 1997 to 2001, has returned to the West after spending the last 10 years in China, where he held a number of different coaching roles.

During his time at Galway United, he led the club to promotion from the First Division in his second season in charge in the 1998/99 season; and also led them to successive FAI Cup semi-finals, the first of which in that same promotion season, a 2-1 defeat to Finn Harps, being the first game to be televised live from what was then known as Terryland Park.

He has relocated to the West and now lives in Headford. He is currently undertaking the UEFA Pro Licence course and, as he told Stephen Glennon in an interview with the Connacht Tribune in April, has teamed up with Sean Dunleavy and Pat Burke – two men who had spearheaded the Galway United Supporters Trust – in delivering a sports programme to the children of Doughiska, most of whom are non nationals or the children of non-nationals.