GALWAY UNITED: RYAN CONNOLLY NAMED CLUB CAPTAIN AND KEEGAN SORTS BACKROOM TEAM 

By
Darren Kelly
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(Photo – League of Ireland)

Ryan Connolly has once again been named Galway United club captain.  The Mayo midfielder, who returned to Eamonn Deacy Park after a season with Shamrock Rovers, also captained the club during the 2016 season. 

Connolly arrived at Eamonn Deacy Park in 2013 and he went on to make 96 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals.  During Connolly’s three seasons on Corribside, he played a pivotal role and Shane Keegan believes he is the man to spread-head United’s assault on the First Division title in 2018.

“It was an easy decision to make Ryan our captain again,” said Keegan to Galway United’s official website.  “He’s a natural leader, somebody who isn’t forcing themselves to be a captain, he leads by nature and by example.

“As a manager, he’s a good sounding board for me as well. He was a big part of Galway United getting back up to the Premier Division in 2015.

Meanwhile, Keegan has confirmed his first team staff for the upcoming SSE Airtricity League season.

Gary O’Connor will be United’s assistant manager in 2018, having previously operated as a first team coach at the club over the last four seasons.  And former Nenagh AFC underage manager and Republic of Ireland women’s third level coach David Rooney joins as goalkeeping coach.

John Devlin and Emmett Hartigan continue in their respective roles as Kitman and Consultant Physiotherapist respectively while Ronan Coyle has also arrived at Eamonn Deacy Park from Athlone Town as physiotherapist.

Brian McMorrow will head up the physical performance for United players in 2018 and Shane Ryan is the club’s new performance analyst.

Galway United face Athlone Town in the SSE Airtricity League next Friday (23rd February) in Eamonn Deacy Park at 7.45pm.

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