Sponsor McDonagh pledges support to GUST United side

Date Published: 06-Jan-2012

THE committed group of supporters who are hoping to field a new-look Galway united side in the Airtricity League this year have received a boost in the form of a ringing endorsement from outgoing club sponsor pat McDonagh of Supermac’s and Papa John’s this week.

McDonagh, the main club sponsor of Galway united since 2009, has contacted the football Association of Ireland to back the Galway united Supporters’ Trust (GUST) application for a first Division licence which would lead to the creation of a new club.

With the FAI set to decide on club licences at the start of February, and the new season set to begin on March 2, the endorsement of one of the county’s leading businessmen has given a boost to the GUST after a turbulent couple of years for the club.

Last month, the GUST pulled the plug on their support for the existing club structure, with the supporters deciding that they would prefer to enter their own side in the first Division following the relegation play-off defeat to Monaghan United.

The four outgoing directors of Galway United FC – Nick Leeson, Donal Downes, John McCormack, and Colm Feeney – remain in place but have opted to withdraw United from the Airtricity League in the hope of getting a new licence in 2013.

“This endorsement is a huge boost to our application, as certain elements have put it out there that we do not have business or financial backing,” said Ronan Coleman of the GUST on Wednesday.

“It demonstrates that we will be able to put a viable team on the field and be competitive. It is great to have one of Galway’s best-known business people on board.”

He said the Supporters Trust wanted to develop long-term relationships with the business community in Galway, but the fans feel that it would be a “disaster” for League of Ireland soccer in the county if there is no Galway United team in the first Division this season.

As the club which was relegated, effectively, no longer exists, the FAI will decide early next month whether or not to admit a Galway United Supporters Trust side to a division which already includes city clubs Mervue united and Salthill Devon.