Galway FC pitched in at the deep end for league debut

JUST over two years since the demise of Galway United, Friday night will show just how united Galway soccer is when the new Galway FC makes its debut in the League of Ireland First Division, with Longford Town the visitors to Eamonn Deacy Park (7.45pm).

For the first time since 2011, there will be a ‘Galway’ team, rather than a ‘team from Galway’, in the League of Ireland, and anecdotal evidence suggests there will be a healthy attendance on Friday night.

Manager Tommy Dunne has certainly played his part – of the 26 players he has signed, 18 are from Galway, four are from Mayo, while Gary Shanahan (Limerick) joins from Mervue United and Derek O’Brien (Kerry) is as good as an honorary Galway man at this stage, leaving just American, Jake Keegan, and Shane McGinty from Donegal as the lone ‘outsiders’. Compare that to Friday night’s opponents, who haven’t a single local player in their squad, with their 23 made up of 14 Dubs, four from Wicklow, two from Kildare and three overseas players.

It is results that count, but given what Galway FC is trying to achieve – build a team, a club, which Galway people can relate to and Galway players can aspire to – Dunne has to be commended for his approach, and he hopes the people of the West can see what is being done.

 “Friday’s attendance will give us an indication of the interest there is in the new club – if we get good support, then this club can really drive forward in the coming years, otherwise it will be like so many others and just struggle for survival.

“I remember playing for Shelbourne against Galway United in the 1990s when they were playing in Galwegians ground [Glenina], the place was absolutely packed and there was a great atmosphere. That’s what we want to bring back, that kind of passion, that kind of crowd, to bring this club on and make it a force.

“For the first time, there is not a lot of money going out of the club, and that includes players’ wages – anything that comes in is going towards the development of the club. The lads are playing for almost nothing, monetary wise – they are playing for pride and for the love of the club, and I want people to know that, to recognise that, and to come and show their support for that,” he said.

As to the game itself, and the season as a whole, Dunne says it would be hard to find a tougher start to the game, with Friday’s home clash with title favourites Longford Town to be followed by an away trip to Waterford United – and a League Cup game against a hungry Mayo League side sandwiched in-between.

“It really is as tough a start as you could get. Longford went very close to promotion last year, and Tony Cousins has been very good in the transfer market, adding real strength to the side by bringing in the likes of Stephen Rice and Pat Sullivan from Shamrock Rovers, Pat Flynn from Shelbourne, Kevin O’Connor from Bray and bringing Don Cowan back from England – they are players you wouldn’t expect to come available, and all have proven Premier Division experience,” Dunne said.

While Longford’s squad for Friday night will be packed with experience, Galway’s relatively young squad has been hit with a massive blow as three players who will be key to their prospects this year are all ruled out through suspensions being carried over from last season.

Stephen Walsh, Ryan Manning and the experienced Derek O’Brien will all be in the stands for Friday’s game, while they might also be joined by Colm Horgan and Marc Ludden, who both picked up knocks in pre-season, but Dunne is confident the two young defenders will be fit for Friday night.

“It is a blow losing the three lads – we have a small enough squad, and it is relatively young as well, so you’re kind of reluctant to thrown in some of the young lads who are only finding their feet at this level, but I have every faith in my players and we’ll just take whatever comes our way,” he said.

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