St. Patrick’s finally join the elite in Galway League

WAY back in 1992, Christy Costello was part of the St Patrick’s side which made their Galway and District League debut that season and 21 years on, he leads the Caherlistrane side into the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division for the first time ever when they host St Bernard’s on Sunday morning.

St Patrick’s have been consistent performers in the lower divisions down the years and an unbeaten 13 match run at the end of last season helped them to the First Division title last May.

In preparation for the new campaign, the newcomers have been back in training for some time and will be working off much the same squad as last season. Rory Glynn, Ronan Conneely, Eanna Glynn, David Geraghty, David Lee, Enda and Kevin Heenaghan are amongst the seasoned campaigners that have served the club well, but now face the most severe challenge of their careers.

Tuam Celtic are the second promoted side and it is their first time back in the top flight since 1992. Like their near neighbours, they face a stiff challenge in their new surroundings and with games against the top four Premier finishers of last season in their first five outings, they face a difficult start to the new season.

The North Galway side will be working off much the same panel as last season, with just former Corrib Celtic central defender Enda Mullarkey the only new arrival. However, the likes of Declan McHugh, Gavin Connell, John Ross Bodkin and Rickie Kent have served the Celtic cause well down the years and they will no doubt thrive in the top division.

On Sunday morning, they travel down the road to Athenry for their opening contest. For the two promoted teams, the name of the game is survival and according to Pat’s supremo Costello: “It is all about been competitive and after finally getting to the Premier League, staying there.”

The arrival of St. Pat’s and Tuam Celtic has brought the number of country teams in the top flight to four as they join Athenry and St Bernard’s who both finished in the top half of the table last season.

Both sides will be operating with much the same personnel as previous years and while Athenry look to be losing Seamie Crowe to Mervue United, they have added locals Damien Rooney and Paddy Evison.

Aaron Van Nierkerk will be a loss as the young man moves on to fresh pastures across channel, while manager Gabriel Glavin will be hoping his notoriously slow starters can make a better start to the season than in previous years.

St Bernard’s have appointed Timmy Holian as the new manager and he has added former Galway United and NUI Galway midfielder Jonathan Keane to his squad. The local lad will be a huge addition to the side, as will another newcomer Mike Tierney. The former Hibernians player lives in the area and he will bring a lot of experience to a pretty settled side.

The Abbeyknockmoy outfit have finished fourth in the table on each of the last two seasons and with maybe a little more belief in themselves, they have the ability to make some giant steps and challenge for honours.

Elsewhere, Mervue United continue to set the standards to which everyone else must aspire. Chasing a fourth title in succession, they will be difficult to match and despite the loss of Paul Sinnott and Vinny O’Connor, they have added to an already experienced side with the addition of Corrib Rangers duo Barry Moran and Simon Walsh.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune