Macron Galway Cup Launched

Ireland under 15 Manager Paul Osam will lead the Irish side into this year's Macron Galway Cup from the 3rd to 6th August at Drom, home of Salthill Devon FC, in Galway. Stephen Rice will lead a development squad in the tournament also.

The Irish U15's squad will be joined in the 2001 Elite section by Ipswich Town, Leeds United and Derry City in a 'round robin' league format.

The Tournament will be played over four days, at Drom, commencing on Wednesday 3rd August with one hundred and thirty games being played in total.

This 2016 Macron Galway Cup was officially launched at NUI Galway, this week, by Ireland's Under 19 team manager Tom Mohan.

Speaking in the Aula Maxima, NUI Galway, Tom pointed out just how important tournaments of this nature are for young players who want to "test themselves and are also good for coaches to extend themselves.”

"My early coaching experiences were at the Galway cup and this helped enormously with my personal coaching development."

The usual compliment of District League teams will compete in addition to the international contingent at the 2001 & 2003 age groups. Colorado Rapids make their second successive trip to the tournament, after making such a big impression last year, to compete in the 2003 event

The Galway Cup has featured a number of cross channel players who have gone on to play at a very high level, most notably, Conor Wickham, Crystal Palace and Paul McMullan, Glasgow Celtic.

Greg Cunningham of Preston North End and Ryan Manning of Queens Park Rangers are both former players of the tournament who have gone on to have successful cross channel careers. Joe Shaughnessy, currently enjoying a very successful spell with St Johnstone in The Scottish Premier League, is another young Galway lad who has made the transition to the pro ranks after being named 'Player of the Tournament' at the Galway Cup in the past.

Daryl Horgan, now setting the League of Ireland on fire at Dundalk, also starred at the cup as did his younger brother Colm, now establish as one of the best right backs in the League of Ireland, while team mate Stevie Folan player for Ireland in the tournament.

Another potential star in the making is Conor Masterson, currently with Liverpool and a member of the Irish 19's - he played at the Galway Cup twice, with his club Lucan and subsequently with Ireland.

The Macron Galway Cup is one for the diaries - The home of Salthill Devon at Drom is the venue, starting the 3rd August with ten hours of football on four side-by-side pitches over four days where the next Robbie Brady is likely to unearthed.