Galway United manager Alan Murphy is ready, willing, and eager to remain in charge of United, believing the club can make progress.
“I've tried my best in terms of the philosophy and the plan and the structure I have put in place,” Murphy says ahead of Galway United’s final SE Aitricity League first division game against Shelbourne in Tolka Park on Saturday(7.45pm ).
“That will be tested and it will be shown to be the right structure. We need players from the catchment area of Galway and Connacht playing for Galway United.
“We don't need quick fixes here. We need a plan and we need a structure for under 13s, 15s, 17s, and 19s, and we need good solid, professional players to come in on the back of that."
Quality professional players need to be identified, he says. "They don't need to be from Connacht, absolutely not. They need to be good, quality professionals who will bring and nurture these developing youngsters into the Galway United team that they will be in for years and years, or move on to play at a higher level which should always be an opportunity for these guys.
“That is the plan, that is next season, and the season after it, and it is an exciting prospect."
Murphy says there is much to prove at United.
"A lot of players have a lot of things to prove. We have players coming back from injury who will be given an opportunity, we have others who need an opportunity, and others who have played before and will come back in again.
“We have huge games in underage in terms of Under 15s, 17s and 19s. They are very important for the development of these players because we want to create a winning mentality - whether that is at under 15 or 17 or 19 level."
In the closing weeks of the season manager Alan Murphy has given several promising youngsters their chance to shine, and last Friday’s 1-1 draw featured six teenagers in the United starting XI.
“I'm delighted with it [the draw] because we had a lot of kids playing there,” Murphy said. “They got an introduction to the good and the bad of League of Ireland football in the two halves.
“I thought we were the better side in the first half, but it was a sloppy goal we conceded. I still thought we created and were more dangerous than Wexford on the night.
“I'm very, very proud of the second half performance with a Galway United team that forced the issue. It looked like they had ability and want, endeavour and passion. Everything that should be in Eamonn Deacy Park on a Friday night, every Friday night.”
Christopher Horgan, Adam Rooney, Donal Higgins, Dara Costello, Dara Mulgannon, Colin Kelly, and Wilson Waweru all saw action during the game, with Murphy acknowledging its importance for the Tribesmen.
“I would argue with anyone who watched the second half if they said there was nothing to play for in that,” Murphy remarked.
“My lads had a lot to play for and possibly whether they are going to be here next season or not. For some it is a huge carrot, for others they are dipping their toes in League of Ireland football.
“The future is bright. They are only getting used to it, but some of the young players stood out in that second half. We were really much on the front foot, we wanted the game, wanted the ball, they showed real experience beyond their years.”
