Five players exit United as Caulfield sets out his stall for ’21

THE departure of five more players from Galway United has been confirmed – while the return of a man who scored 16 goals for the club in a previous four-season stint at the club has also been announced – as John Caulfield continues to mould the squad he inherited from Alan Murphy into his own design.

Vinny Faherty had already announced his retirement from senior football on Monday of last week, and that news has been followed by the confirmation that Jack Lynch, Conor Barry, Josh Smith, Timo Partheons, and Joe Collins will not be part of the squad for next season.

Lynch did take to Twitter last week saying that a combination of work circumstances and the new training schedule for United means he won’t be returning to the Tribesmen next season.

It is something similar for Barry, who also took to Twitter saying that as he “won’t be living in Galway in the New Year, it logistically wouldn’t work”.

That quintet have had varying experiences at United, from Barry making 77 appearances over five different seasons at the club; to Smith playing just twice this season before his year was ended due to injury.

Caulfield wished the players well in what was a brief statement from the club confirming their departures.

“Since I’ve come to the club, the lads have been fantastic, and they’re all moving on for various reasons. I’d like to thank them all and wish them well in their future careers,” he said.

Barry joined United in 2014, making three appearances under Tommy Dunne in the club’s first season back in the league. He made a further four appearances in 2015 before leaving the club.

He returned in 2018 under Shane Keegan – who was also manager in 2016, when Barry departed – and enjoyed his most successful season in the maroon jersey, scoring 11 goals in 30 league and cup appearances.

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

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