Mid-Season Report Card - Galway United

Club: Galway United

Manager: Vacant

Stadium: Eamon Deacy Park, Terryland, Galway

Highest attendance this season:  1,191 v Athlone Town

Highest league goal scorer; Danny Furlong 7

Mid-season position:  6th

How we thought they would do

Most people though they would be ‘dead certs’ for promotion and probably win the league title. They had re-signed Ryan Connolly and along with the arrival of Danny Furlong the mood in the camp was positive.

How they really have done

Poorly, the League of Ireland First Division, while being very competitive this season, is nowhere near the standard of the Premier Division and with numerous players having left in the off season the men from the West have looked a shadow of their former selves at times. However, they have a squad that should be the best, but for a combination of reasons it has not happened. Furlong’s injury has to be a big factor – he will get goals all the time in this division.

Moment of the season so far

Beating UCD at EDP – they outclassed the league leaders from the start and did show what they are capable of when firing on all cylinders

Star Player - Stephen Walsh

Hard to pick one really, but based on his work ethic, never say die attitude and not little skill, he has performed admirably.

Surprise star player - Alan Murphy

Alan came back to the league after several years absence and has been very influential

Young player - Carlton Ubaezuonu

Carlton has shown some really good flashes of form and with ‘luck in running’ he could have a good league career.

Star signing: Danny Furlong

Furlong is a proven performer at this level and although injured for a few weeks, he has still managed seven goals. If he can stay injury free, his influence could be the deciding factor in whether they manage a playoff spot or not.

What they need to do in the transfer market

Realistically they need to add players in all lines of the team. The squad is paper thin, with three U19’s on the bench for the last game. They need some physicality up front to take some of the burden off Furlong and McCormack. A workaholic type midfield and an extra defender are a must for the new manager to sort out and quickly.

Where we see them finishing

They can still get to the playoffs – but it will need a near perfect record form here on in. Regardless of their ‘on field’ exploits, the club’s every move will be scrutinised if and when the Saudi investment/takeover kicks in.

Galway United, who have ridden a roller coaster throughout their League of Ireland history are now facing into the unknown. We will very shortly get some idea of what the new investors have in mind. Perhaps they will give us some idea of just what attracted them to the league in general and in particular a club who have been hanging on by their fingernails of late.