Champions Galway United Dream of European Glory

By
Thomas O'Brien
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Although Irish clubs have taken some notable scalps in the qualifying rounds of Europe’s major club competitions, runs to the big stage have been, sadly, thin on the ground.

But one club hoping to change those fortunes is Galway United, who might have a chance to do so as early as next season thanks to their exploits in the FAI Cup.

The Tribesmen, who have already wrapped up the League of Ireland First Division title, are in the semi-finals of the FAI Cup – a competition in which the finalists are typically handed a place in the qualifying rounds of the Europa Conference League.

So could Galway United be on the verge of a first continental adventure since the 1990s?

Aiming High

Even just a cursory glance at the Champions League betting odds reveals the size of the task facing John Caulfield and his team if they are to qualify for the premier European competition – as the winner of the League of Ireland Premier Division has a chance to do.

Manchester City (2/1), Bayern Munich (5/1), Real Madrid (15/2) and Arsenal (8/1) are just some of the favourites to lift the trophy, while even 500/1 outsiders like Shakhtar Donetsk, Red Star Belgrade and Braga have a European record that no club in Ireland can match.

But Galway United have taken huge strides forward since the Comer brothers acquired a majority ownership stake in the club back in March 2022, with their investment rewarded by an outstanding effort in the First Division this term.


At the time of writing, Caulfield’s side had won the title with five games to spare – a result of winning 24 of their opening 31 games of the 2023 campaign. A goal difference of +66 is indicative of just how dominant they have been.

And there’s no reason to think they’ll struggle in the top-flight next term, either. UCD and Dundalk have both been swept aside in the FAI Cup – indeed, newcomers to Irish football would not have known which was the Premier Division outfit as Galway racked up 5-1 and 4-0 victories respectively in those two games.

Whether they qualify via the FAI Cup this term or the Premier Division next, Galway United could be set for a European tour in the near future.

Breaking Through

Of course, UEFA’s constant tinkering with their coefficients and qualifying criteria continues to make it very difficult for Irish clubs to book their place in continental competition.

Premier Divisions Shamrock Rovers entered the Champions League in the first round of qualifying, where they lost out to Icelandic side Breidablik. 

The 2023/24 Europa League final will be played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, but sadly Irish clubs were not handed an entry into qualification for the tournament – instead, Dundalk, Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic were dropped into the Europa Conference League instead.

Victories for Dundalk and Derry saw them joined by Shamrock in the second qualifying round, with the Candystripes the only team to progress after a 5-4 aggregate win over Finnish club KuPS.

However, Derry City’s dream of qualifying for European competition was ended by Kazakhstan Premier Division side Tobol after a cruel penalty shootout defeat.

Dreams of emulating the 2011 era Shamrock Rovers – the first Irish team to make it to a continental competition proper – were crushed. So can Galway United go one better in the near future and qualify for the Champions League or Conference League?

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