Galway WFC take to the stage

Julie-Ann Russell, Meabh De Burca, Niamh Fahey and Dora Gorman are all current Irish internationals - and all hail from Galway. 

Clubs like Salthill Devon have also previously flown the flag for the City of the Tribes in national and regional competition.

So, for a city with such a rich pedigree in women’s football, it’s surprising that Galway hasn’t had a club representing it in the Women’s National League until now. 

Galway WFC are the city’s entry into the national league, and bring the number of teams in the league to eight. 

Galway WFC will play their home matches at Eamonn Deacy Park - former home of Galway United - and will play in the county colour of maroon.

The Galway United connection doesn’t end there, either, with ex-United defender Nigel Keady managing the new club. Ricky O’Flaherty, who played for Wolves, Shels and Pat’s as well as Galway United, is one of the club’s coaches and former United goalkeeper Mark Cobey is the goalkeeping coach.

Keady and his coaching team have been busy assembling a team for the new season, with a number of players signed up already.

These include Jennifer Byrne, Susie Cunningham and Lisa Casserly - all of whom have WNL experience with Castlebar Celtic. Athlone IT’s player of the year for last season, Emma Curley, and goalkeeper Melissa Casserly - capped for Ireland at under-19 level - will also play in maroon.

“Over 12 months ago a group of representatives of women’s football in the county came together with the idea of bringing Women’s National League football to Galway,” a club statement reads. 

Martin Nolan, CEO of the league sponsor Bus Eireann, said that he is “delighted to see the League expand so that more communities will benefit from this exciting journey for women's football.”

They are the second team in Connacht, joining Castlebar Celtic. Along with Cork, these clubs are the only three in the league based outside Leinster.

Galway WFC begin their inaugural season at home against Wexford Youths on August 25th.