2023 Season Preview: Galway United

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Manager: John Caulfield

Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park

Players In: Brendan Clarke (Shelbourne), Rob Slevin (Finn Harps), Darren Clarke (Longford Town), Callum McNamara (Treaty United), Maurice Nugent, Regan Donelan (Finn Harps), Colm Horgan (Sligo Rovers), Alex Rutter (Hume City) Vincent Borden (Rudar Velenje).

Players Out:  Conor Kearns (Shelbourne), Max Hemmings, Charlie Lyons (Cobh Ramblers), Matt Connor (Waterford), Gary Boylan (Sligo Rovers), Wilson Waweru (Cobh Ramblers - loan), Daniel O'Connor (Ipswich Town).

Extratime.com Key Man: Colm Horgan

Horgan has returned to Galway United after five seasons away and the defender is no doubt a bit of a coup for John Caulfield ahead of the new season.

The defender has spent the last few seasons in the top flight with Cork City, Derry City and Sligo Rovers and at only 28 years old there is no doubting that he’s still in his prime.

Not to mention that, at not even 30 years old, Horgan has 13 seasons of League of Ireland football under his belt having made his debut during the 2010 League of Ireland First Division campaign with Salthill Devon.

He’s a former club captain and will be another leader in John Caulfield’s team along side current captain Conor McCormack and returning former captain Maurice Nugent.

The defender has secured promotion once before while with the Tribesmen having attained Premier Division status in 2014 through the playoffs while playing under Tommy Dunne.



His last game for Galway United in 2017 confirmed their relegation, on the last night of that season against Dundalk – can Horgan play a role in finally dragging the Tribesmen to the top flight once again in their sixth season since dropping to the First Division?

Extratime.com One to Watch: Ronan Manning

This is the fourth season in a row, going back to Manning’s Athlone Town days, that I’ve named him as ‘one to watch’. The midfielder really is the type of player that will get fans off their seats – it’s just yet to happen for him consistently for various reasons.

Manning returned to his hometown club ahead of the 2021 season and the talented midfielder is yet to really make the impact that he no doubt has the talent for in that time.

The 22 year old’s time has been hampered by a mixture of injury and not being a first choice for John Caulfield’s system although last season he showed glimpses of just how important a player he could be for Galway if used consistently.

Manning offers something different, there’s a bit of edge and bundles of skill which allows the midfielder to terrorise any potential defence in the First Division.



He has had a successful pre-season for Galway ahead of their season opener against Finn Harps and it looks like there’s a starting job for him at last in John Caulfield’s side. The crucial thing is for Manning to stay fit – both for his own career but also for Galway’s odds at promotion this season.

What to expect this season:

Galway United have been among the favourites for promotion ahead of most of the five seasons they’ve played in the First Division since relegation in 2017.

Now entering their sixth consecutive season – can the Tribesmen break that hoodoo?

They’ve made the playoffs during the last three seasons but have fallen each time – spectacularly so last year when they were thumped 3-0 by Waterford.

John Caulfield has recruited well this offseason however – they’ve added seasoned Premier Division players in Brendan Clarke, Rob Slevin and Regan Donelan, Colm Horgan has returned after five years along with Maurice Nugent, who returns after a spell in England.

The only key player the Tribesmen have lost was their goalkeeper Conor Kearns but with Clarke swapping places with Kearns, United have a great replacement.

Last season Galway faded when Alex Murphy secured his move to Newcastle United and Killian Brouder suffered a long term injury midway through the season – this year they’ve improved in most areas and have significantly more strength in depth which should stand to them over the 36 games.

Expect Galway to be challenging this year, whether they can win the First Division remains to be seen however, with Waterford still holding on to the favourites tag coming into the campaign – but certainly this should be a Galway side really pushing for that title and automatic promotion this season, something they haven’t really managed during the past two campaigns.

First Game:

Finn Harps -v- Galway United, February 17th, Finn Park (kick-off 8pm)

About Paul Corcoran

Paul Corcoran is an experienced writer and journalist and has contributed to various publications including the Galway United match programme Maroon View. He spends much of his time covering the fortunes of Galway United's teams … View Full Profile