Galway United is in their blood but that's not enough

Date Published: 02-Dec-2010

Keith Kelly

THE curtain has come down on another season in the League of Ireland, and it was another year of financial struggle at Galway United.

Playing under a fourth manager in as many years, United once again had to trim its squad during the season by letting players go, which calls into question the whole licensing process of the FAI.

One of the main reasons for the money troubles this year was the poor attendances – United’s average crowds this season was around the 870 mark, a shocking figure for a Premier Division side. It produces a vicious circle – low crowds mean a small budget, which means the manager can’t strengthen the squad, so the team struggles for results on the pitch, resulting in people staying away from games.

Something needs to be done to break that cycle, which has resulted in some of the best Galway-born players plying their trade elsewhere in the past season, and the pessimists suggest that it can’t be long before those who haven’t already gone will do so for the coming season.

Alan Keane and John Russell were part of the Sligo Rovers squad that won the Cup double in 2010, while Seamus Conneely is attracting serious interest from clubs over in England. They spoke to Tribune Sport about the season just gone, their time with Galway United, and what the future holds.

It was said of Kevin Moran that he would put his head where others wouldn’t consider putting their foot, and Alan Keane is cut from the same cloth.

There is no ambiguity when it comes to the tough as nails defender, either on or off the pitch, something those in the stands recognise and appreciate.

He was a firm favourite with fans during his four season stint with Galway United, so his move to provincial rivals Sligo Rovers – where he is also regularly acclaimed from the stands – at the start of the 2009 season cut deep with some of the Terryland faithful.

What will be even more galling is to learn the reason for his departure was something as simple as a phonecall – or rather, the lack of one – from then United manager, Ian Foster.