Money woes lessen as United name new boss

A TURBULENT off-season for Galway United which saw them without any players, their manager walk out for another club, and rumours about serious financial problems took a turn for the better on Monday with the appointment of a new manager and the revelation of “significant support” from one city businessman.

United unveiled new manager Sean Connor – who has previously managed Sligo Rovers, Bohemians and Dundalk – on Monday afternoon, an appointment which took many by surprise given his experience and high-profile, and the well-documented poor financial health of United.

However, United CEO Nick Leeson said on Monday that the future looks much brighter for the club thanks to the “significant support” which was offered by an existing sponsor in the week leading up to Connor’s appointment.

“The Board of Directors’ financial commitment and contribution to the club is going to increase again during the course of the year. There is significant support being offered by one particular person which is seen as significant sign of intent for the club moving forward.

“I don’t want to disclose the details who that person is, but I am sure people will be able to read between the lines as well,” he said. When asked if this “support” came from a Director, he said it was from a sponsor of the club, leading many to believe that Supermacs founder and Managing Director, Pat McDonagh, has once again rowed in behind a local sports team.

McDonagh’s company is best known for its sponsorship of Galway hurling, but it also provided financial backing to a number of other clubs in the city and county, and it – through its pizza franchise Papa Johns Pizza – is United’s main sponsor.

Leeson wouldn’t be drawn any further on what this “significant support” entailed, but one rumour which has been firmly quashed by a number of sources is the claim that McDonagh will be paying Connor’s wages for the duration of his three-year contract, much like the agreement between businessman Dennis O’Brien and the FAI in relation to Giovanni Trapattoni; and in any event, Connor is not on the big money contract many believe.

The new manager confirmed he will be moving to Galway, and his backroom team has a distinct local feel, with former player and Oranmore resident Gareth Gorman joining him as assistant manager, while city native Billy Clery is also joining the management side.

Gorman has already worked under Connor as assistant manager at both Sligo Rovers and Dundalk, so needless to say the pair have a strong working relationship, while the inclusion of Clery in his backroom team is also being seen as hugely positive by United fans.

For more, read page 43 of this week's Galway City Tribune.