Galway United and Dunne gearing up for new season
GALWAY United have unveiled a number of pre-season friendlies over the coming weeks, while the club also confirmed that Leo Tierney has returned to act as assistant manager to Tommy Dunne.
Tierney was assistant to Dunne for the 2014 First Division season, but he stepped down at the end of that promotion-clinching campaign due to work and travel commitments – he lives in Mayo.
Gary O’Connor stepped in as assistant to Dunne last season, but like Tierney, work commitments forced the Mervue man to step down at the end of the season, which opened the door for Tierney’s return.
“Last season I wanted Leo to stay but his personal circumstances meant that he couldn’t commit. This year I asked him again and thankfully he has rejoined us. I’m looking forward to working with him again. It’s important to have the right people in the club.
“Like Leo, circumstances meant that Gary O’Connor could not continue in his position with the club this year and we would like to thank him for all his hard work and we wish him well in the future,” Dunne said.
The rest of his backroom team is unchanged from last season, with Mark Cobey (goalkeeper coach), Adrian Craddock (strength and conditioning coach), Emmett Hartigan (physiotherapist), Dermot Ryan (kitman) and Sean Buckley (team chef) all continuing in their roles.
Dunne’s squad began pre-season training last week, and the club has confirmed four friendlies, with the possibility of more being added. United will host UCD in Fahy’s Field on Saturday, February 13 (3pm) and Shelbourne in Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday, February 20 (3pm); before taking to the road for games against Longford Town in City Calling Stadium on Tuesday, February 23 (7.45pm) and Limerick FC in Markets Field on Saturday, February 27 (6.30pm).
The latest additions to the squad are striker Ruairi Keating (20) and right midfielder Kevin Devaney (25), who have both signed from Sligo Rovers.
On the underage front, Galway United’s U-19 side have been placed in the Southern Elite Division alongside Bray Wanderers, Cabinteely, Cobh Ramblers, Cork City, Limerick, Shamrock Rovers, Waterford United, Wexford Youths and UCD.
Johnny Glynn and Nigel Keady are once again taking charge of the U-19 side, which will play each of the other sides twice, on a home and away basis. The top four will qualify to play against the top four from the Northern Division, and teams outside of the top four will play in a Shield competition with the teams outside the top four in the Northern Division. The U-19 season, like the senior league, will kick-off in March.
Meanwhile the Galway Soccer Co-Op will hold its AGM on Monday next, January 25, at 7pm in Eamonn Deacy Park. The election of a committee for 2016 will take place, and plans for the coming season will be outlined. People will be able to join the co-op on the night.