Despite slipping down to eighth place on the final day of an interesting League of Ireland season, Galway United can still reflect on a year in which so many youngsters acquired top-flight experience.
Manager Ian Foster steered Galway through a difficult campaign, and though results elsewhere last Friday ensured the team did not realise their seventh position objective, Derry City’s problems ensured a relegation/play off was avoided.
Seamus Conneely, Paul Synott, Jason Molloy, Cian McBrien, and Vinny Faherty were locals operating at underage level under Billy Clery 18 months ago who made valuable contributions. The other Galwegians, Dave Cooke and John Russell, also provided evidence that players can prosper at the highest level in this country.
When Jay O’Shea departed for Birmingham City, Russell assumed the creative leadership of the team, and while restricted by injury recently, his cameo against Cork City altered the complexion of that tie.
Foster, who continues to attend fixtures throughout the country, also showed good judgment in the transfer market with the acquisitions of Barry Ryan, Shane Guthrie, and Garry Breen being the stand out captures.
Retaining the core of the squad on an even smaller budget for 2010 will bring another test that the Liverpudlian must embrace.
“I think the players can be proud of their achievements this season. They have been fantastic. They have had to deal with certain off-the-field issues which they took in their stride since July such as the sale of their captain,and a reduced budget which meant players like Declan Edwards, Niall Walsh, and Michael McGrath had to leave the football club,” Foster said.
“My staff only work on match days so they have to listen to me every single day. We lost a training ground for eight or nine weeks, but managed to find it again. They have had plenty to deal with, but what it has done is galvanise them. The second half of the season we picked up 23 points, as opposed to 19 in the first half when I had a full squad.
“ I wouldn’t like so many experiences next year, put it that way. It has been great, though, it has been fantastic. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It’s a challenge, I knew it would be. But I’m always up for a challenge and I’m sure I’ll be given a challenge again next year.
“I think we’ve massively over-achieved this season, I genuinely think we have. What we have done is done things right. All the players have been paid. I’m sure we’re well under the 65 per cent protocol. You know, you just have to work under the guys who are the directors. They give you a budget and I have to work within that. It’s not easy, but I’d rather be doing this than most other things.”
Mervue United & Salthill Devon
Mervue United concluded their inaugural first division season with a scoreless draw at Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday evening. That result was achieved with a team packed with teenagers, and Mervue can reflect on a reasonable start to life in senior football.
In Ferrycarrig Conor Winn, Paul Scally, Kenny Farrell, Evan Connolly, Rory Gaffney, Mark Ludden, Mike Collins, and Kevin Crehan all featured, which will be of significant encouragement to manager Johnny Glynn, who has earned the respect of every opponent at this level.
Indeed Galway will parade two teams in this league next year providing Salthill Devon pass the UEFA licensing requirements. Salthill, under the stewardship of Emlyn Long and Mike Quirke, enjoyed a highly productive A Championship adventure, and have enough talent to make an impact in the first division now.
