Galway United unveil Shane Keegan as new manager

Galway United have unveiled Shane Keegan as their new first team manager.

The former Wexford Youths boss has signed a two-year contract to manage the westerners, who have just finished ninth in the SSE Airtricity League Premium Division.

The Laois native spent five seasons in charge at Ferrycarrig Park, the highlight arriving with Youths clinching the First Division championship and promotion in 2015.

They were relegated at the end of the season after losing the promotion/relegation play-off against Drogheda United, falling 3-0 at United Park in Keegan's final match having led 2-0 from the first leg.

Keegan began his career with FC Carlow 2010. Carlow finished 3rd and 2nd in the SSE Airtricity League A Championship during his two seasons in charge, attracting the attention of nearby Youths.

“I have always seen Galway United as a fantastic club with massive potential,” Keegan told the Galway United website.

“Having met with the chairman and members of the board, it was exciting to hear the plans that they have for the club for the coming years and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to play a role in driving those plans forward.”

Keegan sees huge potential in the west, adding: "The facilities, both in terms of training ground and the stadium at Eamonn Deacy Park, are second to none.

“Their underage structure is one of the best in the country and saw them reach the under-19 final this season. This shows the level of the young talent at the club.

“When you combine all of that with the support that they've received from the business community in Galway, and in particular the Comer brothers, everything seems to be in place for the club to continue to develop and grow.

As he takes over from Tommy Dunne, Keegan has very clear initial plans: "It's an exciting opportunity for me as a manager.

“I look forward to meeting up with the players from this season's squad and also sitting down to talk with players who could come on board and play a part in the future of the club.

“I'm also really looking forward to organising an opportunity to meet with the club's strong supporter base as I would like to outline my plans to them and I greatly welcome their input."

Galway United Chairman Jonathan Corbett said he was delighted to appoint one of the most highly-rated young coaches in the country.

"Shane's enthusiasm got us straight away, it's infectious,” said Corbett. “His attention to detail and knowledge of the game in Ireland really jumped out at us.”

"The process took three or four weeks, but we feel we have appointed one of the brightest young managers in Ireland. We mapped out our vision for the club and Shane is thinking big and so are we."