2023 Season Review: Galway United

Team: Galway United

Head Coach: John Caulfield

Top Scorer: David Hurley (24 goals in all competitions)

Stadium:  Eamonn Deacy Park

Highest Attendance: 4,300, v Cobh in April, v Dundalk in September and v Bohemians in October

Lowest Attendance: 556 v Waterford in October

Star Player: David Hurley

Hurley has just completed his third season on the banks of the Corrib, and what a season the midfielder has had in 2023.

The 25 year old scored far more goals this past year than in any of his previous League of Ireland seasons since making his debut in 2017.

His highest goal haul before this season was eight goals in all competitions, that came last year but this year the Cork native scored 24 goals – and even without counting the numerous assists Hurley has to his name there is no hesitation in naming his as Galway’s star player this season.

In terms of a standout performance (and there are many from this season), the night he scored his first goals of the season comes to mind.

United were playing away to Athlone Town in March and Hurley had a penalty saved in the 34^th minute which allowed the Town to nip down the other side of the field and put themselves ahead.

Hurley’s head didn’t drop and the midfielder drove his side on and scored a goal just minutes later with his head before following up with a lovely finish just before the hour mark to put United ahead. They would go on to win 3-1 that night and Hurley didn’t look back.

The midfielder was also recognised by his peers with his inclusion in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year and a nomination alongside teammate Stephen Walsh and Waterford’s Ronan Coughlan for First Division Player of the Year.

Best Young Player: Ed McCarthy  

2023 saw Ed McCarthy play his second season with Galway Untied but the midfielder was nearly like a new signing for the Tribesmen with his performances this season eclipsing his achievements on the pitch in 2022.

The winger was one of John Caufield’s better signings last year but the squad seemed to lack imagination at times going forward in general.

This year the shackles appeared to be off somewhat with McCarthy allowed take on mazy dribbles up the field on numerous occasions showing off excellent skill and an ability to terrify defences.

The 22 year old bagged nine goals in all competitions this year too – an impressive haul for the midfielder and a figure that is three times bigger than his next best goal scoring season.

Those goals included a first half hat trick when United took on Kerry early in the season, and McCarthy also scored to Galway’s second goal when they trounced Dundalk 4-0 in the FAI Cup.

McCarthy was also one of six Galway players to be voted onto the PFAI First Division Team of the Year for 2023, a huge honour for the young midfielder.

Best New Signing: Brendan Clarke     

John Caulfield got it almost spot on with all of his signings this season with several names that could be considered the best signing.

Vince Borden comes to mind, as do mid-season signings Wassim Aouachria and Aodh Dervin but it’s the veteran goalkeeper who has won everything in Irish football that gets the nod.

The goalkeeper was an assured presence between the sticks all season for Galway United with Clarke starting all 36 of their First Division games.

He played almost every single minute of the campaign aside from the final game of the season when he was subbed off in the 86^th minute to give backup keeper Alex Rutter a run out.

Clarke’s experience showed throughout, and he conceded just 18 goals in the First Division as Galway United claimed 20 clean sheets from the campaign.

A couple of moments stand out from the campaign – the first being when Ryan Kelliher scored for Kerry against Galway last March. The goalkeeper was clearly incensed at conceding, despite his side being 6-0 up by the time Kerry scored – such are his high standards.

The second moment is an example of the sheer class the 38 year old still has between the posts, Clarke dove across his goal in the opening minutes of the Tribesmen’s FAI Cup quarter-final to deny Daryl Horgan with a great save with the side at 0-0. Galway would go on to win 4-0 but it may have been a different result had the Lilywhites gotten that early goal.

Clarke’s performance in goal were recognised by his fellow players in the First Division with the goalkeeper being included in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year.

What we expected they would do:

This year the extratime.com staff predicted a second place finish for the Tribesmen.

What they actually did:

SSE Airtricity League First Division

The difference a year can make – last November Galway United had been soundly beaten by Waterford in the First Division playoffs having finished a disappointing third behind the Blues and champions Cork City.

Frustration amongst supporters was clear as John Caulfield stormed down the tunnel in Markets Field last November after a third playoff disappointment in a row.

Flash forward to 2023 and captain Conor McCormack holding the First Division trophy aloft on Friday, October 20^th after a gruelling season during which the Tribesmen largely dominated proceedings and secured promotion after six long years.

United came out of the traps with a blistering pace last February, starting with a win over Finn Harps in Ballybofey John Caulfield’s men went on tow in their first 11 games in a row.

Crucial at the time were goals from new signing Vince Borden from the centre of the park – the midfielder scored both goals in that first win of the season, he scored the only goal against Cobh Ramblers and did the same against title rivals Waterford in March to set United up nicely.

They tasted defeat for the first time when they played Longford Town in May. Although that would be one of just two losses all season for the Boys in Maroon.

De Town may not have made the playoffs but they do have the honour of being the only First Division team to beat Galway this year – and they did it twice!

They recovered nicely from that setback and struck another blow to Waterford’s season with a 2-1 win days later – Ed McCarthy and David Hurley scoring.

Including that win, United took in a 16 game unbeaten run before they lost again. Of that 16 game run – they secured 12 wins.

They faced Keith Long’s Waterford again in that time, they still had a chance to claw their way back into contention, but it was effectively ended when the side met at the RSC on August 11.

The Tribesmen came from behind to draw 2-2 with Francely Lomboto scoring an injury time equaliser to effectively end any possibility of Waterford putting up any sort of challenge for the title.

They lost that second game of the season to Longford Town in early September, but it mattered very little as the United wrapped up the title on Friday, 22 September in front of a large travelling support at Mounthawk Park in Tralee where Galway ran out 4-0 winners over Kerry.

By that stage of the season Galway had five games left, and they were professional in their approach as they won each of their remaining games.

That run included three further home games meaning for the season, they won all 18 of their home league games. The side lost just twice, as mentioned before, they scored a whopping 98 goals and conceded just 18.

One of those games was against Waterford on Friday, 10 October. What would have been looked at as a potentially title defining game at the start of the season turned out to be a damp squib as Galway had the league wrapped up and the Blues prepared for the playoffs.

United had six players named on the PFAI First Division Team of the Year – Brendan Clarke, Killian Brouder, Rob Slevin, Ed McCarthy, David Hurley and Stephen Walsh which reflects just how good the side were in 2023.

FAI Cup

In addition to their fantastic league form, Galway United also found themselves in an FAI Cup semi-final for the first time since 2008 this season.

They easily defeated Bluebell United 4-1 in round one of the competition in July before being drawn with Premier Division side UCD for round two.

United went 2-0 up against the Students on Friday, 18 August but the match was abandoned at half-time due to an unplayable pitch due to severe rain throughout the evening.

Galway had to travel to the UCD Bowl and do it all over again on the following Monday, and they did just that with the First Division side routing the Students with a 5-1 win sending them into the quarter-finals.

A sold out crowd piled into Eamonn Deacy Park for the visit of Dundalk in that following round. The Lilywhites were out and out favourites but United shocked the League of Ireland when they rushed out to a 4-0 lead by half-time.

Stephen Walsh, Ed McCarthy, Maurice Nugent and David Hurley all scored – and that’s how the game finished with United having an opportunity to make it to their first FAI Cup Final since their one and only victory in the competition way back in 1991.

It was Bohemians that stood in the way for the semi-final, another sold out crowd attended Deacy Park for one of the biggest games in the stadium in recent memory.

The Tribesmen made a good account of themselves but ultimately Bohemians proved to be too strong for the First Division side, Dylan Connolly scored the only goal of the game to break Galway hearts.

What they need to improve on for next year:

The club have yet to confirm which players from the 2023 season will remain with the club into 2024 but it’s definitely possible that a good portion of the squad will be valuable to the club even with the step up to the Premier Division.

That being said, John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan will need to look for some experienced campaigners to add to the squad ahead of next season if they want to survive in what will be an extremely competitive Premier Division next season.

While they did just fine against three Premier Division opponents this season in the FAI Cup – there is a huge difference between getting results in one off cup games and being able to perform consistently for a 36 game campaign.

There likely won’t be one clear weak team next year so United have to start making moves immediately to get plenty of strength in depth ahead of the new season.

Many of the fringe squad players Caulfield utilised over the last couple of season simply won’t be at the Premier Division standard or are possibly not experienced enough effectively perform consistently throughout the season.

Two areas that need immediate attention are the fullback positions. Regan Donelon and Colm Horan are experienced and definitely have the ability to play in the Premier Division but Galway rarely had their first choice back four from St Patrick’s Day on when Donelon picked up an injury.

The left back was in and out of the squad, and then Colm Horgan picked up a long term injury. Conor O’Keeffe was able to deputise effectively when one fullback wasn’t available but at times Conor McCormack was pushed to right back and Rob Slevin out to left back which isn’t ideal.

Further strength in depth at those positions will be needed as United may not get away so lightly if they lose their two starters next season.

Another winger will be needed to support Ronan Manning. It would be exciting to see Manning get a good crack at the Premier Division next season, but over the past couple of seasons the winger has been incredibly injury prone.

Francely Lomboto also played on the wing, the forward has a lot of pace but seemed to struggle at times out wide. The 23 year old did improve during the season, and it is possible we could see him improve further at a higher level.

At times, Ed McCarthy moved over from the right to take the left wing position with Aodh Dervin filling in on the right wing. Dervin did well in his role but again – more experienced wingers will be needed to produce at the higher level next season.

The Tribesmen will need to look at their striker options for 2024. Wassim Aouachria joined United mid-season and did very well scoring six goals in seven appearances after leaving Waterford.

Their other attacking threat is Stephen Walsh, the former left back has scored 30 goals in the First Division over the last two seasons – can he bring that sort of form into the Premier Division?

Both will definitely be useful for Galway United, Aouchria is still just 23 and will possibly improve with exposure to a higher level next year and could do well, Walsh will be 34 next year but the forward is in the best condition of his career and his ability to press defenders was unmatched across the First Division in 2023.

The goal for Galway United will be to do whatever it takes to stay above ninth place and secure another season in the Premier Division. With UCD gone, a new takeover at Drogheda United and a hungry Waterford also vying to avoid a return to the First Division, the Tribesmen will have to put a very good squad together for the 2025 season.

2023 Season Review: Longford Town https://t.co/NpksF5EPE8pic.twitter.com/gmoIzTtbpw

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) November 15, 2023