Successful return of the Galway Cup after absence
Salthill Devon's Ailbhe MacNeill receives the Cup from Mayor of Galway Clodagh Higgins after her team beat Wicklow in the Girls 2009 Cup Final Credit: None
The Galway Cup returned to the soccer calendar for the first time since 2019 with thirty six teams competing over four days at Salthill Devon’s Drom Park.
The Galway Cup had been established as the country’s premier tournament prior to the Covid pandemic and the mood was buoyant as the tournament returned to action.
Over 750 players from throughout the country supported by friends and relatives created a carnival atmosphere in Drom. There was very special welcome for Seattle Celtics who brought a large contingent of parents d players for the tournament. It was wonderful to see a team from our twin city travel six thousand miles to compete.
The Galway Cup TV was in full swing again this year, with Darragh Maloney of RTE joining the Tournament on the Thursday as guest interviewer. The full set of Galway Cup TV is available on YouTube 2022 while all match statistics are available on www.galwaycup.com.
The tournament will grow again next year overseas clubs will have ample time to plan to attend.
Over one thousand players and coaches are housed in The University of Galway’s campus accommodation. The value to the local economy is very significant.
Tournament director Ronan Gibney said, “We continue to enjoy the support of wonderful sponsors and we would also like to acknowledge the continued support of Galway City Council who recognise that the Galway cup is one of the City’s premier events run by one of the City’s premier sports clubs.”
“The 2023 tournament planning has already started and we expect it to be bigger and better than ever.”
Here is a flavour of what the tournament meant to the young players;
Galway Cup 2022; Roll of Honour
2007 Cup Final
Clare League 0 Willow Park 3
2009 Girls Cup Final
Salthill Devon 2 Wicklow League 1
2009 Girls Plate Final
Maree Oranmore 0 Roscommon League 1
2009 Cup Final
Dundalk league 4 Mayo League 1
2009 Shield Final
Limerick County League 3 Waterford League 2
2009 Club Cup Final
Cava Monaghan league 1 Salthill Devon 2
2009 Club Plate Final
Wicklow League 5 Roscommon 6
2010 Boys Cup Final
St Brendan’s Park (Kerry) 1 Finn Harps 5
2010 Shield Final
Clare League 3 Mervue United 1
About Pete Kelly
Pete is based in Galway with an eclectic interest in all sports, but writes predominantly for Extratime on all things Salthill Devon, where he is a founder member, and Galway United. He is the Media … View Full Profile