Galway FC have completed another six signings to bring their squad number to 17 in advance of their opening pre-season fixture against Sligo Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday (7.30pm ).
As manager Tommy Dunne continues his preparations for Galway FC’s first League of Ireland season since the demise of Galway United, the return of Galway favourite and the club’s second highest scorer, Alan Murphy, is a huge boost.
Murphy headlines the latest signings, which include goalkeeper Connor Gleeson, Marty Owens, Cian Fadden, Ronan Conlon and Jake Keegan, a 22-years-old American striker who joins from FCA Darmstadt in Germany. Keegan had very successful spells with Binghamton University and Westchester Flames in the United States.
Although the 32-years-old Murphy joins after a spell playing Gaelic football, he is expected to “add valuable experience and guile to Galway FC's midfield”.
"I'm happy with the progress that has been made over the last few days," says Dunne, who plans to put the “finishing touches” to his squad in the next 10 days.
"We are working hard in the background to finalise the squad, I would like to have 20 players signed by February 8 or 9. We are hoping to sign up a few more in the run up to the Sligo Rovers game."
Charlestown native Marty Owens, who operates mainly as a right back, spent the second half of the 2013 season on loan at Finn Harps from Sligo Rovers, while Keegan had successful spells with Binghamton University and Westchester Flames in the United States.
The three remaining new signings have joined from local clubs Mervue United and Salthill Devon.
Goalkeeper Connor Gleeson, 20, made 28 league appearances for Mervue over three seasons, while 22-years-old defender Cian Fadden progressed through Salthill Devon's u-20 side to make a total of 56 first team appearances in the first division. Ronan Conlon, 22, also came through Devon's underage system and played 53 times in the league as an attacking midfielder.
The latest signings come after Dunne confirmed that Ross Kenny and Vinny Faherty had signed for the 2014 season.
Kenny played for Mervue last season, while Faherty is a seasoned League of Ireland player, who having played with Salthill Devon as a youngster, has plied his trade with Galway United, where he made 73 premier division appearances, St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk.
Manager Tommy Dunne says the two players “will be very important members of the squad”.
Galway United’s current signings: Jason Molloy, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden, Martin Conneely, Noel Varley, Paul Sinnott, Colm Horgan, Gary Shanahan, Ryan Connolly, Ross Kenny, Vinny Faherty, Alan Murphy, Marty Owens, Connor Gleeson, Ronan Conlon, Cian Fadden, Jake Keegan.
