A look at the newcomers to the top flight in 2024
It’s a big year ahead in the west as Galway United make a long awaited return to the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division after sweeping all in front of them in 2023.
With just two losses in 36 last year and nearly reaching the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Final, few could argue that John Caulfield’s men don’t deserve a seat at the top table of Irish football.
Season Tickets have been on the up after some sell-outs in Eamon Deacy Park and with a mouth-watering tie on the opening night against St. Patrick’s Athletic excitement in Terryland is palpable.
It will be a big jump, however, to the top tier and John Caulfield will know this fully but he has kept a strong core of the side who got the Tribesmen promoted together for a sense of solidity entering the Division.
The aim in the short-term will be to solidify their status in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division unlike Cork City last year who fell at the last hurdle in the Play-Offs.
They will do this with some new bodies in the building as Garry Buckley comes in from Sligo Rovers to bring some further solidity to the back-line.
Brendan Clarke is joined in the Goalkeeper department by Joe Wright who arrives from Milwall as the 22-year-old provides some competition in goal for Galway.
One of the most noteworthy signings also comes from Sligo as Karl O’Sullivan makes the short trip from The Showgrounds bringing an extra bit of needle to the Galway United-Sligo Rovers dyanmic this season.
There’s also forward reinforcements with Leo Gaxha coming in from Kerry and Tom Costello signing from Coventry City.
The new faces added to the likes of Conor McCormack, Aodh Dervin, Stephen Walsh, Wassim Aouachria should give the Tribesmen plenty of depth to seal their place in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division for another year.
John Caulfield knows the potential in Galway and will hope his long-awaited return to where he wants to be will be the first step in bringing Galway United into the big time.
Finish last season - 1st (SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division)
Manager - John Caulfield
Key player - Karl O’Sullivan
