Eyebrows were raised when one of the most decorated League of Ireland players ever joined a First Division side, but the opportunity to take Galway United back to the big time under former manager John Caulfield was equally as exciting as it was challenging.
After three gruelling seasons, club captain McCormack spearheaded his team back to the promised land of Irish football - and after five games he looks right back at home in the middle of the park for a Premier Division team.
McCormack was immediately named club captain by John Caulfield upon his signing, and it was clear to see why. Having worked under Caulfield at Cork City, the veteran midfielder carries out his manager's instructions to a tee, as well as encouraging and organising his teammates around him. McCormack is the perfect profile of defensive midfielder for Caulfield; tenacious, disciplined, and composed. His ability to drop deep to collect the ball off the centre backs and progress the ball is key to Galway United's playing style.
Although a defensive midfielder by trade, McCormack's ball-playing qualities cannot be understated. The two-time Premier Division winner never shies away from receiving the ball, always making himself available to take responsibility for United's ball progression. Whether that be offloading the ball for Hurley to drive forward, spreading diagonals out to the wide players, or just keeping the play ticking over, United's captain is instrumental to his side in possession.
Preventing attacks from the opposition
But it is defensively where McCormack really gets bargain for his buck. Acting as a constant marshal for the back four, the United captain's ability to read the game is evident in the amount of times he prevents attacks from the opposition. McCormack leads the way for interceptions in the squad and boasts an impressive 81.8% tackle success rate. The FAI Under-17 International Player of the Year has recorded 32 duels won and 24 ball recoveries so far this season. The defensive numbers speak for themselves.
McCormack is a Manchester United academy graduate, two-time Premier Division winner, and two-time FAI Cup champion. Despite all he has achieved in the game, he remains grounded and humble. Nothing cements that more than his career at Galway United. McCormack is a model professional - he performs consistently every week, and works tirelessly for the team. Staying with United in the First Division for three seasons highlights that his desire to take Galway United back to the Premier Division outweighed everything else.
Conor McCormack is a player that the Premier Division needs, his performances have elevated since his return and Galway United will reap the rewards of that. United play their captain's former club, Shamrock Rovers, at Eamonn Deacy Park in front of the RTÉ cameras on Friday night. Galway United have been competitive in every game, and they will hope that continues against the four-times-in-a-row champions.
Conor McCormack, John Caulfield, and Galway United are a match made in heaven. McCormack's tenacity, courage, and relentlessness epitomises this Galway United team under Caulfield. If United are to challenge the 'big dogs' in the Premier Division, there is no doubt their skipper will be central to that.
