Galway United Football Club (Irish: Cumann Peile Ghaillimh Aontaithe) is an Irish professional football club based in Galway. They play in the League of Ireland Premier Division following promotion from the First Division in 2023. They were founded as Galway Rovers F.C. during the 1930s. They made their League of Ireland debut in 1977–78 and changed their name to Galway United in 1981–82. After suffering financial difficulties, the club dropped out of the League of Ireland after the 2011 season but in 2014 Galway United returned initially playing as Galway F.C. for a season. Like other sports teams from the county, Galway United are nicknamed "The Tribesmen", after the 14 "tribes" of Galway, the merchant families that established the city. They are the first ever official football club of a micronation.
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| Full name | Galway United Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The tribesmen |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Stadium | Eamonn Deacy Park |
| Capacity | 5,000 (3,300 seats) |
| Owner | The GUFC co-op |
| Chairman | Jonathan Corbett |
| Manager | John Caulfield |
| League | League of Ireland Premier Division |
| 2024 | 5th of 10 |
| Website | http://www.galwayunitedfc.ie/ |
History
editGalway Rovers
editGalway United F.C. were founded as Rovers F.C. in the Claddagh district of Galway in honour of Sligo Rovers, the first League of Ireland club outside of Leinster to win the league in 1937. The club's website claims the club was founded in 1937. However, according to a Galway Advertiser report, the club was active in 1933, winning a local junior competition known as the Celtic Shield. The first recorded mention of a Rovers team dates back to a meeting at 28 Dominick Street on 20 September 1898 but it's not known if this was related to the future Rovers club [1] By 1937 Rovers were fielding youth teams as well as a junior side. Rovers won the Connacht Junior Cup in 1958 and they also played in the Western League. Rovers first gained national attention when they were invited to play in the 1976–77 League of Ireland Cup. In 1977–78 they made their debut in the League of Ireland. They played their first League of Ireland game on 28 August 1977 at Terryland Park against St. Patrick's Athletic. Eamonn Deacy scored Rovers' first League of Ireland goal on 2 October 1977.[2][3][4][5][6]
1980s
editIn 1980–81 Rovers reached the final of the League of Ireland Cup, but lost on penalties to Dundalk. In the 1981–82 season, Galway Rovers changed their name to Galway United and under their new name, the club reached two cup finals in successive seasons. United made their first appearance in an FAI Cup final in 1984–85 but lost 1–0 to Shamrock Rovers. In 1985–86 United became founder members of the League of Ireland Premier Division and finished second behind Shamrock Rovers in the new division's inaugural season. In 1985–86 United won its first major trophy after defeating Dundalk 2–0 in the League of Ireland Cup final. Denis Bonner and Paul McGee scored the vital goals.[3][4][5][6][7]
1990s
editGalway United made a good start to the 1990s, winning their first FAI Cup and qualifying for Europe for a third time. In the 1990–91 FAI Cup final at Lansdowne Road, United defeated Shamrock Rovers 1–0. With five minutes to go on the clock, captain Johnny Glynn scored a late goal. In 1991–92 United was relegated to the First Division for the first time, but the following season, 1992–93, they returned to the Premier Division after winning the First Division title and the League of Ireland First Division Shield. The club finished 1993-94 in a respectable 3rd place.
In 1995–96 United were relegated for a second time. In 1996–97 United won the League of Ireland Cup defeating Cork City 4–2 over two legs along with the First Division Shield. It was the second time United had won both trophies.
United remained in the First Division until 1998–99 when, under Don O'Riordan, they were promoted to the Premier Division after finishing as runners-up in the First Division to Drogheda United.[3][4][5][6][7]
2000s
editThe 2000s were not a successful decade for Galway United. Ten different managers took charge of United during this era and, between them, they managed to win just one amateur trophy, the 2007–08 Connacht Senior Cup. In 2001–02 United were relegated to the League of Ireland First Division and they did not return to the Premier Division until 2007 [8] In April 2005 United appointed Nick Leeson as commercial manager. He then became general manager in late November 2005 and by July 2007 he had become the club's CEO.[9][10] By the end of the decade United were joined in the League of Ireland by two other Galway–based teams, Mervue United and Salthill Devon.[11]
2010s
editBy 2010 Galway United had debts estimated to be between €35,000 and €70,000. In 2011, after Nick Leeson resigned as CEO, the Galway United board of directors and the Galway United Supporters Trust ("GUST"), which had been established in 2001, came to an agreement under which the latter group took over financial responsibility for the club and the day-to-day running of the team.[9][11][12][13] However, after the 2011 League of Ireland Premier Division season, in which Galway United lost 32 out of 36 games, this arrangement broke down. In December 2011 it was announced that Galway United would not be competing in the 2012 League of Ireland First Division season. Meanwhile, GUST unsuccessfully applied to join the League of Ireland as an independent club and continued to support the Galway United team playing in the League of Ireland U19 Division.[14][15][16]
In 2012 a report commissioned by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) recommended that Galway city and County Galway should be represented in the League of Ireland by a single club or team based at Eamonn Deacy Park. The O'Connor Report also recommended that GUST, Salthill Devon, Mervue United and the Galway Football Association, should work together to form such a club.[17] GUST was reluctant to support this "merger"[18] but eventually agreed.
Following the conclusion of the 2013 season, both Mervue United and Salthill Devon withdrew from the League of Ireland First Division to make way for a team known as Galway F.C. A new board of directors was established featuring representatives from GUST, Salthill Devon, Mervue United and the GFA.[3][19][20] In 2014 Galway F.C. played in the First Division and after finishing third and winning a play-off they gained promotion to the 2015 League of Ireland Premier Division. Before the start of the season Galway F.C. was renamed Galway United.[3] In 2015 the club had the opportunity to record a third League of Ireland Cup success when they played St. Patrick's Athletic in the final at Eamonn Deacy Park, however they lost the tie 4–3 in a penalty shoot out following a scoreless draw.[21]
On 27 October 2017, Galway United were relegated to the League of Ireland First Division after a 4–3 loss to Dundalk in their final game of the 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division at Eamonn Deacy Park.[22] Despite finishing the 2017 season in 10th place, a normally safe position, a change in league format ahead of the 2018 season meant that this was not enough for the club to retain its place in the top flight.
2020s
editIt was announced on 30 March 2022, that brothers Brian and Luke Comer of the Comer Property Group would be taking majority ownership of the football club which had been operating under a fan owned model since its re-emergence in 2014. Following a vote of the supporters trust, 82% backed the move which would see the Comer brothers take an 85% ownership stake in the club. They had announced an initial influx of half a million euro into the club with ambitions to take it back to the Premier Division.[23]
In October 2022, the club announced that it would be launching a women's team, to compete in League of Ireland Women's Premier Division from the 2023 season onwards. On 23 July 2023 the women's team made history by winning the inaugural All-Island Cup in their maiden season, defeating Cliftonville Ladies F.C. 1–0 in the final at The Showgrounds, Sligo.
On 22 September 2023, Galway United won the League of Ireland First Division title for the second time in the club's history with five matches to spare, when they defeated Kerry FC 4–0. This ensured a return to top flight football for the first time since 2017.[24] They finished the league season with a record total of 94 points, with 98 goals scored and a 100% home win record. They are now in partnership with Ironland becoming their official club announced after 200 thousand citizens of the micro-nation signed a petition.
Grounds
editGalway United's principal home ground is Eamonn Deacy Park, previously known as Terryland Park. In 1993 while Terryland Park underwent redevelopment, Galway United played their matches at the Galway Sportsgrounds and at Crowley Park. In 1985 Galway United also played a home European game at the Sportsgrounds. On the other two occasions United qualified for Europe they played their home games at the home grounds of Carraroe GAA and Ballinderreen GAA.[3][25]
Personnel
editCurrent squad
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Technical staff
edit| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | John Caulfield |
| Assistant Manager | Ollie Horgan |
| First Team Analyst | Robbie Crosbie |
| Performance Coach | Danny Broderick |
| Physiotherapist | Richard Grier |
| Kitman | Darra Hislop |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Gianluca Aimi |
| Head of Youth Development | Johnny Glynn |
| Under-19 Manager | Brendan O'Connor |
| Under-19 Coach | Paul Sinnott |
| Under-19 Coach | John O'Connor |
| Under-17 Manager | Martin Devlin |
| Under-17 Coach | Gerry Martin |
| Under-17 Coach | Gerry Heaney |
| Under-17 Strength & Conditioning | Seán Murphy |
| Under-15 Manager | Anthony O'Neill |
| Under-15 Coach | Colm Branagan |
| Under-15 Coach | Michael Flannery |
| Under-14 Manager | Xavi Vazquez |
| Under-14 Coach | Gary Traynor |
| Under-14 Coach | Jason Murphy |
Management
edit| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Jonathan Corbett |
| Secretary | John Flannery |
| Media Officer | Jonathan Higgins |
| Graphic Designer | Morgan O'Brien |
| Content Creation | Paul Mladjenovic |
European record
editOverview
edit| Competition | Matches | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| European Cup Winners' Cup | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 11 |
| TOTAL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 19 |
Matches
edit| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985–86 | European Cup Winners' Cup | 1R |  Lyngby
|
2–3 | 0–1 | 2–4 |
| 1986–87 | UEFA Cup | 1R |  Groningen
|
1–3 | 1–5 | 2–8 |
| 1991–92 | European Cup Winners' Cup | QR | Odense
|
0–3 | 0–4 | 0–7 |
Shirt sponsors and manufacturers
edit| Year | Kit manufacturer | Shirt partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1984/85 | Adidas | Glen C |
| 1985/86 | ||
| 1990/91 | Wrangler | |
| 1991/92 | Spall | |
| 1992/93 | O'Neills | |
| 1993/94 | McDonald's Gaillimh | |
| 1994/95 | Adidas | |
| 1995/96 | Digital | |
| 1996/97 | ||
| 1997/98 | ||
| 1998/99 | ||
| 1999/00 | Compaq | |
| 2000/01 | Prostar | |
| 2001/02 | Stanno | |
| 2002/03 | Erreà | Hewlett-Packard |
| 2003 | Radisson SAS Hotel Galway | |
| 2004 | Umbro | Harmack Developments |
| 2005 | ||
| 2006 | ||
| 2007 | O'Connell Drylining | |
| 2008 | Rival | |
| 2009 | Papa John's | |
| 2010 | ||
| 2011 | ||
| 2014 | Macron | Comer Group Ireland |
| 2015 | ||
| 2016 | Uhlsport | |
| 2017 | ||
| 2018 | ||
| 2019 | Puma | |
| 2020 | ||
| 2021 | O'Neills | |
| 2022 | ||
| 2023 | ||
| 2024 |
Gallery
edit-
Galway United's home ground, Eamonn Deacy Park
Notable former players
edit- Republic of Ireland senior internationals
- League of Ireland XI representatives
- Republic of Ireland U23 internationals
- Republic of Ireland U21 internationals
- Republic of Ireland U19 internationals
|
- Republic of Ireland U18 internationals
- Other senior internationals
Managerial history
edit| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1976–1978 |  Amby Fogarty
|
| 1978–1979 |  Tommy Callaghan
|
| 1979–1983 | John Herrick
|
| 1983–1984 | Paddy Mulligan
|
| 1984–1985 | Tom Lally
|
| 1985–1988 | Tony Mannion
|
| 1988 | John Herrick
|
| 1988–1989 | Seamus McDonagh
|
| 1989–1990 | Paul McGee
|
| 1990–1991 | Joey Malone
|
| 1992–1995 | Tony Mannion
|
| 1995–1997 | Denis Clarke
|
| 1997–2001 | Don O'Riordan
|
| 2001 | Dave Connell
|
| 2001–2004 | Tony Mannion
|
| 2005–2006 | Stephen Lally
|
| 2006–2008 | Tony Cousins
|
| 2008 | Jeff Kenna
|
| 2009 |  Ian Foster
|
| 2010–2011 |  Sean Connor
|
| 2014–2016 | Tommy Dunne
|
| 2017–2018 | Shane Keegan
|
| 2018–2020 | Alan Murphy
|
| 2021– | John Caulfield
|
Honours
edit- League of Ireland Premier Division
- Runners Up: 1985–86: 1
- FAI Cup
- Winners: 1990–91: 1
- Runners Up: 1984–85: 1
- League of Ireland Cup
- Winners: 1985–86, 1996–97: 2
- Runners Up: 1979–80, 2015: 2
- League of Ireland First Division
- League of Ireland First Division Shield:
- Winners: 1992–93, 1996–97: 2
- Connacht Senior League
- Winners: 1984–85, 1985–86, 1987–88: 3
- Runners Up: 1986–87, 1993–94: 2
- Connacht Senior Cup
- Winners: 1984–85, 1995–96, 2007–08: 3
- Connacht Senior League Challenge Cup
- Winners: 1998–99: 1
- Runners Up: 1986–87, 1993–94: 2
- Connacht Junior Cup
- Winners: 1957–58: 1
- Runners Up: 1946–47: 1
References
edit- ^ Galway Vindicator and Connaught Advertiser, 24 September 1898, page 3, column 1
- ^ "Galway Rovers soccer teams". www.advertiser.ie. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Galway United FC – Club History". galwayunitedfc.ie. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ^ a b c "Ireland – Ireland League Cup 1973/74-2006". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ a b c "Republic of Ireland League Tables". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- ^ a b c Graham, Alex (2005). Football in the Republic of Ireland a Statistical Record 1921–2005. Soccer Books Limited. ISBN 1-86223-135-4.
- ^ a b "Ireland - FA of Ireland Cup 1921/22-1993/94". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ "RTÉ Sport: Rovers and Galway in new Premiership". RTÉ News.
- ^ a b Brendan White (2 February 2011). "Leeson resigns Galway Utd CEO position". Archived from the original on 14 May 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ "Galway United FC have appointed Mr Nick Lee as the club's new Commercial Manager". www.galway.net. 17 April 2005. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ a b "Local competition adds to Galway United's woes". When Saturday Comes. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "Leeson will remain in charge at Galway". www.rte.ie. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "About GUST". galwayunited.org. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
- ^ "Galway Utd withdraw licence application". extratime.ie. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
- ^ Malone, Emmet (14 December 2011). "Troubled Galway opt out of league for a year". irishtimes.com. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
- ^ "Galway fans apply to form new club". RTÉ News. 13 December 2011. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012.
- ^ "One club or nothing warns FAI on impasse". connachttribune.ie. 27 August 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ Penrose, Gareth. "GUST vote to remain independent – Extratime.ie – League of Ireland". Extratime.ie. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
- ^ "Mervue United swansong shines a light on FAI mismanagement". www.goal.com. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
- ^ "Football's comin' home — compromise reached as Galway FC applies to league". www.advertiser.ie. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ McDonnell, Daniel (19 September 2015). "St Patrick's Athletic crowned EA Sports Cup champions after penalty drama". independent.ie. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ "Galway United relegated following seven-goal thriller against Dundalk". Irish Independent. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ^ "GALWAY UNITED CLUB STATEMENT", galwayunitedfc.ie, 30 March 2022
- ^ "Galway United gain promotion to the top flight in style". Irish Examiner. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Balls Remembers The Time A Small GAA Ground Held A European Cup Winners Cup Match". www.balls.ie. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
- ^ "Mayo Football League Roll Of Honour" (PDF). inform.fai.ie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ^ "Castlebar Celtic – Club History". www.castlebarceltic.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2015.