Utd opt for Keegan as new team boss

SHANE Keegan will be unveiled as the new manager of Galway United on Monday as an at-times fractious five-week process to replace Tommy Dunne finally comes to an end.

Keegan is the current manager of Wexford Youths, who take a 2-0 lead into the second-leg of the promotion/relegation play-off against Drogheda United tonight, but it will be the last game of his four seasons in charge of the south-east club.

His appointment comes five weeks after Dunne was sacked as manager, following a 5-3 defeat away to Cork City in Turners Cross on Tuesday, September 27. United were set to name Scottish native, Ian McPartland, as manager two weeks ago, but he pulled out at the last minute.

McPartland, who was recommended for the job by Republic of Ireland assistant manager, Roy Keane, had attended United’s final home game of the season against Longford Town on Friday, October 21; and the club’s U-19 League final against UCD in Belfield the following day.

The expectation was that he would then sign a contract on Sunday, October 23, but he decided to turn down the job – one story is that he felt there was a major rebuilding of the squad needed, something which was not attractive to him.

Micky Adams – who managed Sligo Rovers last season – was also on the shortlist for the job, but he also turned it down, believed to be due to a disagreement over his backroom team. Adams wanted to appoint his own assistant manager, while the club insisted it had its preferred assistant manager lined up.

Having turned down the job initially, it is believed the club contacted Adams again after McPartland declined the post, but he said his position on an assistant had not changed, and the call was ended curtly.

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