Galway United Football Club ( Irish: ''Cumann Peile Ghaillimh Aontaithe'') is an Irish association football club based in Galway. They play in the League of Ireland First Division. 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 File:2011 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: a protester partaking in Occupy Wall Street heralds the beginning of the Occupy movement; protests against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed that October; a young man celebrate ...

season but in

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Galway United returned initially playing as Galway F.C. for a season.

History

Galway Rovers

Galway United F.C. were founded as Galway Rovers F.C. in the Claddagh district of Galway. The club's website claims the club was founded in

1937 Events January * January 1 – Anastasio Somoza García becomes President of Nicaragua. * January 5 – Water levels begin to rise in the Ohio River in the United States, leading to the Ohio River flood of 1937, which continues into Fe ...

. However, according to a '' Galway Advertiser'' report, the club was active in

1933 Events January * January 11 – Sir Charles Kingsford Smith makes the first commercial flight between Australia and New Zealand. * January 17 – The United States Congress votes in favour of Philippines independence, against the wis ...

, 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 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 Eamonn Deacy Park, formerly known as Terryland Park, is an association football stadium in the Republic of Ireland based in the Terryland district of Galway. It is owned by the Galway Football Association and is the home ground of both Galway ...

against

St. Patrick's Athletic St Patrick's Athletic Football Club ( ga, Cumann Peile Lúthchleas Phádraig Naofa) is a professional Irish association football club based in Inchicore, Dublin, that plays in the Irish Premier Division. Founded in May 1929, they played origin ...

Eamonn Deacy Eamonn "Chick" Deacy (1 October 1958 – 13 February 2012) was a professional footballer from Galway, Ireland. After a trial at Clyde Deacy made an impressive League of Ireland debut for Sligo Rovers away to Shelbourne at Harold's Cross Sta ...

scored Rovers' first League of Ireland goal on 2 October 1977. In 1980–81 Rovers reached the final of the League of Ireland Cup, but lost on penalties to Dundalk.

1980s

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 The Football Association of Ireland Senior Challenge Cup (FAI Cup), known as the Extra.ie FAI Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland (as well as Derry ...

final in 1984–85 but lost 1–0 to

Shamrock Rovers Shamrock Rovers Football Club ( ga, Cumann Peile Ruagairí na Seamróige) is an Irish association football club based in Tallaght, South Dublin. The club's senior team competes in the League of Ireland Premier Division and it is the most su ...

. In 1985–86 United became founder members of the

League of Ireland Premier Division The League of Ireland Premier Division ( ga, Príomhroinn Sraith na hÉireann), also known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, is the top level division in both the League of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland f ...

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.

1990s

Galway United made a good start to the 1990s, winning their first

and qualifying for Europe for a third time. In the 1990–91 FAI Cup final at Lansdowne Road, United defeated

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 Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier. A premier will normally be a head of gov ...

after winning the First Division title and the

League of Ireland First Division Shield The League of Ireland First Division Shield was an association football competition featuring teams from the League of Ireland First Division. The inaugural winners were Derry City. It was also the first competition Derry City won after they joi ...

. 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 Donald Joseph O'Riordan (born 14 May 1957) is an Irish football coach and former professional player, who is the manager of Women's National League club Treaty United. O'Riordan notably played for Middlesbrough, Grimsby Town and Notts County ...

, they were promoted to the Premier Division after finishing as runners-up in the First Division to

Drogheda United Drogheda United Football Club ( ga, Cumann Peile Dhroichead Átha Aontaithe) is a semi-professional Irish association football club based in Drogheda, County Louth playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division. They play their home matches ...

2000s

The 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

until

2007 File:2007 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Steve Jobs unveils Apple's first iPhone; TAM Airlines Flight 3054 overruns a runway and crashes into a gas station, killing almost 200 people; Former Pakistani Prime Minister of Pakistan, Pr ...

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. By the end of the decade United were joined in the League of Ireland by two other Galway–based teams,

Mervue United Mervue United A.F.C. is an Irish association football club based in Mervue, Galway. Their senior men's team currently plays in the Galway & District League. The club has previously fielded teams in the Connacht Senior League, the League of Ir ...

and

Salthill Devon Salthill Devon Football Club is an Irish association football club originally based in Salthill, Galway. Their senior team currently plays in the Galway & District League. They have previously played in the Connacht Senior League, the A Champi ...

2010s

By 2010 Galway United had debts estimated to be between €35,000 and €70,000. In 2011, after darra hislopresigned 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. However, after the

2011 League of Ireland Premier Division The 2011 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 27th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The league was also known as the Airtricity League for sponsorship reasons. The division featured 10 teams. Shamrock Rovers were champio ...

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 The 2012 League of Ireland First Division season was the 28th season of the League of Ireland First Division. The First Division was contested by 8 teams and Limerick won the title. Teams Overview Due to the expansion of the Premier 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 The League of Ireland U19 Division is the under-19 division of the League of Ireland. The current division is the successor of earlier U21 and U20 divisions. Like the Premier Division and First Division, the U19 Division is currently sponsored ...

. In 2012 a report commissioned by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) recommended that Galway city and

County Galway "Righteousness and Justice" , anthem = () , image_map = Island of Ireland location map Galway.svg , map_caption = Location in Ireland , area_footnotes = , area_total_km2 = ...

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,

and the Galway Football Association, should work together to form such a club. GUST was reluctant to support this "merger" but eventually agreed. Following the conclusion of the

2013 File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...

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. In

Galway 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 The 2015 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 31st season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. Dundalk were champions and Cork City finished as runners-up. Teams Stadia and locations Personnel and kits Note: Flags indicate n ...

. Before the start of the season Galway F.C. was renamed Galway United. In 2015 the club had the opportunity to record a third League of Ireland Cup success when they played

in the final at Eamonn Deacy Park, however they lost the tie 4-3 in a penalty shoot out following a scoreless draw. 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 The 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 33rd season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The league began on Friday 24 February 2017 and concluded on 27 October 2017. Fixtures were announced on 9 December 2016. On 17 October, ...

at Eamonn Deacy Park. 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. It was announced on the 30th of March 2022, that the Comer Brothers would be taking majority ownership of the club. Following a vote of the supporters trust, 82% backed the move which would see the Comers take an 85% ownership stake in the club. They have announced an initial influx of half a million euro into the club with ambitions to take the club back to the Premier Division.

Grounds

Galway 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 The year 1985 was designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** The Internet's Domain Name System is created. ** Greenland withdraws from the European Economic Community as a result of a ...

Galway United also played a home

European European, or Europeans, or Europeneans, may refer to: In general * ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe ** Ethnic groups in Europe ** Demographics of Europe ** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe ...

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 CLG An Cheathrú Rua (Irish language, Irish: ) is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Gaeltacht area of Carraroe, County Galway, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The club is a member of the Galway GAA. Notable players include Seán Óg ...

and

Ballinderreen GAA 'Ballinderreen GAA'' is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Ballinderreen, County Galway, Ireland. The club was founded in 1884. The parish already was deeply rooted in hurling before the foundation of the GAA. The club is situated in ...

Personnel

Current squad

Technical staff

Management

European record

Overview

Matches

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

Gallery

Tommy Dunne (footballer born 1972) 3.jpg, Former Galway United manager, Tommy Dunne File:Terryland park.jpg, Galway United's home ground, Eamonn Deacy Park

Notable former players

; Republic of Ireland senior internationals ;

League of Ireland XI The League of Ireland XI, more recently referred to as the ''Airtricity League XI'' for sponsorship reasons, is the representative team of the League of Ireland, the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. For much of its ...

representatives ; Republic of Ireland U23 internationals *

Seamus Conneely Seamus Joseph Conneely (born 9 July 1988) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for club Accrington Stanley. He has previously played for Galway United, Sheffield United and Alfreton Town. He was born in Londo ...

Shane Guthrie Shane Guthrie (born 11 December 1984) is an retired Irish footballer who Strength & Conditionin Coach for Kerry in the League of Ireland First Division. He has played Gaelic football with Kerry and Munster club champions and All-Ireland semi- ...

* Stephen O'Donnell * Jay O'Shea ; Republic of Ireland U21 internationals ; Republic of Ireland U19 internationals *

Mick Cooke Mick Cooke (born 15 December 1973) is a Scotland, Scottish muli-instrumentalist who was the trumpet player of the indie band Belle & Sebastian for fifteen years before leaving in 2013 to concentrate on composing full-time.Taylor, Luke (2013)Int ...

* Laurence Gaughan * John Russell ; Republic of Ireland U18 internationals *

Ryan Casey Ryan Casey (born 3 January 1979) is a former professional footballer who played as left-back. Ryan was appointed as the FAI Development Officer for Sligo in July 2007. He spent most of his career with Swansea City. Born in England, he played ...

* Donal Higgins *

* Alex Murphy ;Other senior internationals

Honours

**''Runners Up'': 1985–86: 1 *

**''Winners'': 1990–91: 1 **''Runners Up'': 1984–85: 1 * League of Ireland Cup **''Winners'': 1985–86, 1996–97: 2 **''Runners Up'': 1979–80,

2015 File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...

: 2 * League of Ireland First Division **''Winners'': 1992–93: 1 **''Runners Up'': 1998–99:,

2021 File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...

2 *

: 2 **''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 The Connacht Senior League Challenge Cup was an association football cup competition featuring teams from the Connacht Senior League. It was the senior league cup competition of the Connacht Senior League between 1981 and 2000. It was later rema ...

**''Winners'': 1998–99: 1 **''Runners Up'': 1986–87, 1993–94: 2 * Connacht Junior Cup **''Winners'': 1957–58: 1 **''Runners Up'': 1946–47: 1

References

External links

Galway United FC Official WebsiteGalway United FC on FacebookGalway United FC on TwitterGalway United FC on YouTubeGalway United FC on InstagramThe Galway United ForumGalway United FC on Soccerway
{{Authority control Association football clubs in County Galway League of Ireland First Division clubs Association football clubs in Galway (city) Former League of Ireland Premier Division clubs