Back in the summer of 2019, operating with a severely restricted budget former Galway United manager Alan Murphy had to be resourceful.
Killian Brouder was one of three players signed - alongside Jack Lynch and Stephen Christopher – and the Newcastlewest native remains an influential figure in the west.
On Friday evening at Lissywollen Brouder arrowed two long throw-ins into the area as Manu Dimas and Wilson Waweru supplied the goals for United, who defeated Athlone Town.
“It was kind of an ugly win really,” Brouder says. “At the start of this year we haven't really seen or held out in games in the way we would like, but we got three points and that is all we came for. So we are happy.
“Long may it continue, we will take it game by game. We won't be looking at anyone else, it is all about ourselves. It is what we do during the week, it is just down to us working hard.
“We need to work a bit harder in not conceding goals, myself included. I think as a back five last year we loved keeping clean sheets and if we go back to that we will all be happy.”
The encouraging manner in which Brouder performs is always noticeable. Emerging footballers will always be afforded words and direction from Brouder, who is a key performer for John Caulfield’s team.
Brouder is delighted to be operating in a full time set-up. “You have young lads coming in, the likes of Jordan [Adeyemo] has come in, the two Spanish lads, they are good players, they are only going to get better with the full-time set-up.
“I think everyone else in the squad too, Walshy there, I don't know, is he 32 years of age, even he is going to get better with the full-time set-up.
“It is helping us all, it is what we all enjoying doing. There is nothing better than waking up, going in every day, playing football as your job. So we are happy out. We just have to worry about ourselves, there are good players around, there are good teams around, you'd look at the teams and say some of them might be good players in the premier division, but they are in the first division, and they all want to win it.
“We have to worry about ourselves, we want to win it. We have Longford next week and will go from there.”
An exciting SSE Airtricity League first division is unfolding and Brouder hopes this is the simply the start of a lively adventure for United. “Exactly, I remember coming up to Galway games when Gary Shanahan was here and I always said it was a lovely club, the pitch, there is something about Galway too,” he replies.
“I have been here now since July 2019, I have loved every minute of it. I wouldn't change a thing. There is a good buzz around, we are at the start now, but may it continue.
“I think Galway itself, we need people in the city behind us, that is only going to drive us on more.”
Brouder continues to make a significant impact in maroon.
**Listen to the full interview with Galway United defender Killian Brouder on this week's 'Cian on Sport' podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
