Galway United W.F.C.
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| Full name | Galway United Football Club | |||
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| Nickname | The Tribeswomen | |||
| Short name | United | |||
| Founded | 2023 | |||
| Ground | Eamonn Deacy Park | |||
| Capacity | 5,001 (3,300 seats) | |||
| Chairman | Jonathan Corbett | |||
| Manager | Phil Trill | |||
| League | League of Ireland Women's Premier Division | |||
| 2025 | 3rd | |||
| Website | www | |||
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Galway United Football Club is a women's football club based in the city of Galway. The team currently compete 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]
History
[edit]Galway WFC
[edit]Galway 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 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
[edit]On 13 September 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 5 October, 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 3 December, 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]
League
[edit]Galway United played their first official game at home at Eamon Deacy Park on 4 March 2023, losing narrowly to Wexford Youths.[8]
The club finished fourth in its first season in the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division,[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]
The club finished third in its second season in the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division.[11] Julie-Ann Russell was selected as the Player of the Year and Jenna Slattery was awarded the Golden Boot at the 2024 SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Awards. Both Russell and Slattery were named to the 2024 Premier Division Team of the Year along with Kate Thompson.[12]
Notably, Galway United achieved a 5–0 home win against Cork City on 16 March 2024, breaking The SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division attendance record when 2,861 people attended Galway United's win over DLR Waves at Eamonn Deacy Park. It beat the previous record of 1,464 who were at the 2023 clash between Shamrock Rovers and Peamount United.[13]
All Island (Avenir) Cup
[edit]The club achieved 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 in the final.[14]
Galway United successfully defended their title in the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup for the second year in a row. After progressing through the group stages and knockout rounds, they faced Shamrock Rovers in the final at Tallaght Stadium. The match concluded in a 0–0 draw which resulted in Galway United clinching the victory through a 4-3 penalty shootout.[15]
Grounds
[edit]Galway United's principal home ground is Eamonn Deacy Park, previously known as Terryland Park.
The women's team train in Headford, at the home of Moyne Villa.[16] During the 2026 season, the team played many of their home games in Headford as a new pitch was being layed in Eamon Deacy Park.
Personnel
[edit]Updated 2026
Current squad
[edit]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. 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 Sinnott |
| 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 |
| 2024 | ||
| 2025 | ||
| 2026 |
Notable former players
[edit]- Republic of Ireland senior internationals
- Republic of Ireland U19 internationals
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- Other senior internationals
Managerial history
[edit]| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 2023– |  Phil Trill |
Honours
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 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. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- 1 2 O'Connor, Sean (11 September 2022). "Galway WFC withdraw from Women's National League". 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
- ↑ "2024 Women's National League". extratime.com. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ↑ "2024 SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Award Winners Confirmed". leagueofireland.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ↑ "League of Ireland Crowds Rise Over Half a Million for First Time at Summer Break". galwaybayfm.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ↑ "Galway United win first edition of Avenir Sports All-Island Cup". RTÉ Sport. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ↑ "Galway secure back-to-back All-Island Cup wins with penalty shootout win over Shamrock Rovers". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ↑ "Galway United set to confirm temporary home venues next week". Connacht Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 May 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.