SD Galway Preview 2012

SD Galway

In: Nicky Curran (Mervue United), Enda Curran (Mervue United), Ciaran Foley (NUIG) Eric Browne (Galway United), Liam Grant (Fanad United), Mike Tierney (Mervue United), Sean Gavin (Galway United A), Willie Enubele (Free), Mixie Harty (Free), Oscar Sibanda (Galway Utd)

Out: Ronan Forde (Mervue Utd)

Manager: Tony Mannion

Ground: Terryland Park

When you hit rock bottom, there's only one way to go. Last season's tally of 11 points from 30 games (just two wins) tells one part of the story of the 2011 First Division season for Salthill Devon, but the total of 74 goals against and just 18 scored shows just how bad the Galway side were last year. Their battle with Wexford Youths to stay off the foot of the First Division table was an intriguing one for some time, but Salthill always seemed destined to lose out.

But you certainly couldn't criticise Salthill for not being bold enough to try and make a fresh start after their annus horribilis. This season sees an almost completely new team, a new manager and, most controversially, a new name and home ground. Their rebranding as SD Galway, coupled with the move to Terryland Park, seems to be aimed directly at filling the gap left by Galway United's departure from senior football. This may not have gone down well with many Galway United supporters, but it could provide SD Galway with an opportunity to at last move on from being fodder for more illustrious opponents.

New manager Tony Mannion has reinforced their Galwegian credentials by signing several local players. Eric Browne and Oscar Sibanda both played for Galway United in the Premier Division last season and should feature prominently for SD Galway this season. Nicky and Enda Curran, along with Mike Tierney, join SD after spending last season with local rivals Mervue United. A few more players have come in from local sides and A Championship sides, giving SD Galway a squad which looks like it could be more competitive than last year.

Their odds of 100/1 probably reflect the fact that not many think that SD Galway will mark their rebranding with promotion. But there is a real sense that this team, with a new manager and several experienced players, could do better than last season. Finishing above bottom is the only real goal for SD Galway, meaning that there won't be much pressure on them to win every match. The example set by Mervue United, who went from hopeless to relatively competitive within a season or two, shows that a club like SD Galway could easily move bit-by-bit beyond their current level. While you'll often hear pundits saying clubs should aim high, attainable expectations don't exactly hurt.

ExtraTime.ie Prediction: 7^th.