Galway United Football Club (Women) is the women's section of the League of Ireland association football club Galway United, based in the city of Galway. The team currently complete in the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division. The club is the successor club to Galway W.F.C., with Galway United launching teams at senior, u-19 and u-17 level[1] after Galway W.F.C announced its withdrawal from the Women's National League at the end of 2022.[2]
| Full name | Galway United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short name | United | ||
| Founded | 2023 | ||
| Ground | Eamonn Deacy Park | ||
| Capacity | 5,001 (3,300 seats) | ||
| Chairman | Jonathan Corbett | ||
| Manager | Phil Trill | ||
| League | Women's National League | ||
| 2024 | 3rd | ||
| Website | Galway United | ||
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History
editGalway WFC
editGalway teams had competed in national competitions for a number of years, and Galway W.F.C. joined the Women's National League for the 2013-2014 season.[3]
At the end of 2022, the club announced they had "reluctantly decided not to apply for inclusion in next season's SSE Airtricity Women's National League", due to additional costs.[4] Chair Stephan Moran included in the statement the hope that "that other individuals or entities [would] take up the mantle to continue the tradition of senior and underage women's football in Galway in 2023".[4]
Galway United WFC
editOn September 13, 2022, Galway United announced that they were disappointed with the news of Galway W.F.C.'s demise, and would begin a "process of dialogue with all interested stakeholders" to explore options to ensure Galway was represented in women's football and senior and underage levels.[5] On October 5, the club announced they would be launching women's teams for the first time, entering a senior team in the Women's National League in 2023 and underage teams at u-17 and u-19 level.[1]
Former Galway W.F.C. assistant manager Phil Trill was confirmed as Galway United's first-ever senior women's team manager on December 3, saying "I’m delighted to have this opportunity. To be the first ever manager to take a women’s team into Galway United is very exciting".[6] Lynsey McKey was confirmed as club captain, with Jenna Slattery and Therese Kinnevey as vice-captains, ahead of the start of the season.[7]
Debut Season
editLeague
editGalway United played their first official game at home at Eamon Deacy Park on March 4th 2023, losing narrowly to Wexford Youths.[8]
The club finished fourth in its first season in the Women's National League,[9] with midfielder Jenna Slattery being named in the 2023 Premier Division Team of the Year, and forward Jodie Griffin winning the TG4 Goal of the Year award. [10]
All Island (Avenir) Cup
editThe club also tasted success in their debut season, defeating Cliftonville 1-0 to win the All-Island Cup at The Showgrounds, with Gemma McGuinness scoring the winning goal.[11]
Grounds
editGalway United's principal home ground is Eamonn Deacy Park, previously known as Terryland Park.
Personnel
editUpdated 2024.[12]
Current squad
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Technical staff
edit| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Phil Trill |
| Assistant Manager/ Goalkeeping Development | Adrian Cronan |
| Opposition Analyst | Gabriel Darcy |
| Technical Coach | Theresa Keane |
| Coach | Paul Sinnot |
| Assistant Goalkeeping Coach | Patrick Martyn |
| Head of Athletic Development | Fiona Kashmer |
| Kit Person | Marc O'Goill |
| Sports Psychologist | Stephanie Doherty |
| Physiotherapist | Roisin Leen |
| Sports Scientist | Evan O'Connor |
Management
edit| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Jonathan Corbett |
| Secretary | John Flannery |
| Media Officer | Jonathan Higgins |
| Graphic Designer | Morgan O'Brien |
| Content Creation | Paul Mladjenovic |
Shirt sponsors and manufacturers
edit| Year | Kit manufacturer | Main Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | O'Neills | Comer Property Management |
Managerial history
edit| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 2023– |
Honours
edit- Avenir Sports All-Island Cup
- Winners: 2023, 2024.: (2)
References
edit- ^ a b Higgens, Jonathan (5 October 2022), "GALWAY UNITED CLUB STATEMENT – WOMEN'S FOOTBALL UPDATE", galwayunitedfc.ie, retrieved 6 August 2023
- ^ Duffy, Emma (11 September 2022). "Galway WFC 'reluctantly decide' not to apply for 2023 WNL inclusion". The42.ie. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ Kelly, Keith (13 June 2013). "Galway women come together to form new National League side". Connacht Tribune. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- ^ a b O'Connor, Sean (11 September 2022). "Galway WFC withdraw from Women's National League". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ Higgens, Jonathan (13 September 2022), "GALWAY UNITED CLUB STATEMENT – WOMEN'S FOOTBALL", galwayunitedfc.ie, retrieved 6 August 2023
- ^ Murray, Joseph (3 December 2022), "Phil Trill Appointed as Senior Women's Manager", galwayunitedfc.ie, retrieved 6 August 2023
- ^ Higgens, Jonathan (28 February 2023), "Lynsey McKey Confirmed As First Ever Senior Women's Club Captain", galwayunitedfc.ie, retrieved 6 August 2023
- ^ "Match Report". galwayunitedfc.ie. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ "2023 Women's National League". extratime.com. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "Peamount United big winners at Women's Premier Division Awards", irishexaminer.com, Irish Examiner, 20 November 2023, retrieved 16 March 2024
- ^ "Galway United win first edition of Avenir Sports All-Island Cup". rte.ie. RTE. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ "First Team Women", galwayunitedfc.ie, retrieved 16 March 2024
- ^ Donnelly, Dave (23 July 2023). "Avenir All-Island Cup Final Report: Cliftonville 0 - 1 Galway United". extratime.ie. Retrieved 7 August 2023.