Galway United retain top flight status

By Kieran Beckles
1:03pm UK, Friday November 13, 2009

Irish football

It proved an eventful 2009 league campaign for Galway United: managerial controversy, a star player leaving for fresh and much more lucrative pastures culminating in the Tribesmen slipping into ninth on the final day of the season, as they slumped to a 2-2 draw with Cork City.

It meant that Ian Foster’s men would face a relegation play-off clash with Drogheda. However last Saturday it was announced that Galway would avoid the trauma of a two legged affair and were to be reinstated into the League of Ireland, Premier Division.

It effectively meant that Galway United, who had been promoted to Ireland’s top flight in 2006 on a technicality, were thus saved from relegation — and once again, on a technicality.

The Tribesmen should direct their gratitude towards Derry City on this occasion.

The Brandywell Bhoys admitted to holding unofficial and secondary contracts with their players. Subsequently, the Football Association of Ireland threw the Northern Irish club out of the league.

Under licensing regulation, league of Ireland clubs must not spend more than 65% of their income on wages. Derry had bypassed this rule by allegedly agreeing off-the-cuff deals with playing staff which saw the players earn extra funds.

However in a twist, all but one of the players involved denied any knowledge of these supplementary contracts. Since the raging debate began, four board members of the Candystripes have resigned.

Meanwhile in the West of Ireland, the news has been met with delight, as it means Galway United will remain in the top tier as opposed to competing with fellow local sides, Mervue United and Salthilll Devon, in the second division.

The irony of the matter is that the Tribesmen were originally promoted to the Premier Division thanks to criteria laid down by the FAI, which the Terryland Park club met.

Upon the establishment off the Eircom Premier Division, 21 clubs who were members of the old first division or second division were scrutinised and ranked according to their performances on the pitch and their infrastructure.

Waterford United and Dundalk failed to meet the required standards which resulted in Waterford joining Dundalk in the second tier of Irish football. Meanwhile Galway were shuffled up the rankings and slotted into the top league, thanks to their realistic and attainable plans for the club.

Ironically Nick Leeson is currently CEO at the club. He will be better remembered for bringing about the collapse of Bearings Bank, costing the company a staggering $1.4 billion.

Galway had suffered a miserable start to life in the Premier Division under Tony Cousins. Former Republic of Ireland and Blackburn Rovers full back, Jeff Kenna, took over the helm at Terryland Park.

The team’s fortunes improved steadily under Kenna.

Controversially Kenna left United last January with the 2009 league campaign imminent, joining St. Patricks Athletic. The board were riled by his decision after previously agreeing that he would remain as manager.

Ian Foster took over from Kenna and led United to eighth in the league which left them facing a play-off to decide their top flight status.

However the admissions by Derry have now ensured United retained their Premier league status and therefore will be among the top 10 clubs fighting it out at the pinnacle of Irish football in 2010.

Promotions and relegations all achieved on technicalities, Galway United fans will be praying that in the not too distant future their side will come across a piece of legislation in a dusty FAI manual that sees them win a first league title.

HAVE YOUR SAY - 23 Comments

Lavagh ball on November 13th, 2009 at 1:22pm

United actually dropped to eighth on the last day of the season from seventh. And their former manager is tony Cousins – not cousin
John Smith on November 13th, 2009 at 1:35pm

Oh, can you let us know when the last time Galway United were saved from relegation on a technicality as well, as you mention “once again”.

When they were promoted by the IAG review in 2006 they were in the First Division, or second division as you call it., so were technically promoted.
Kieran Beckles on November 13th, 2009 at 2:00pm

Thanks for pointing out the mistakes. They have been duly noted and changed.
Tribesman on November 13th, 2009 at 6:03pm

While i will agree that in 2006 our promotion was not earned on the pitch,this time was different-we were ready and prepared for a play off and its not our problem that Derrys board decided to cook their books. The biggest winners from this were Bray. They were relegated and then reinstated and still have another chance to stay in the top flight! So technically they could be relegated twice in the same season!
GUFC on November 13th, 2009 at 11:47pm

And what do you mean “Waterford United and Dundalk failed to meet the required standards and the pair dropped into the second tier despite having rightfully earned their place in the top league.” Rightfully earned? At the start of the 05 season every team signed up for the IAG knowing full well what was involved! United were promoted as a result of their performance over the previous five years and their infrastructure which was superior to their competitors. That is the reason they were promoted. You also failed to mention the fact that Waterford actually played in the Premier Division that year so Dundalk were the only team deprived of what they “rightfully earned”. Why did you even write this article when you clearly know nothing about it?
Conor on November 15th, 2009 at 6:38pm

There are still a few glaring errors in this article even though you have changed mistakes which were pointed out to you. You should just take the article down because aside from the mistakes it is rubbish. Why do you need to repeat the dogma of the first few paragraphs;

‘It effectively meant that Galway United, who had been promoted to Ireland’s top flight in 2006 on a technicality, were thus saved from relegation — and once again, on a technicality.’

‘Meanwhile in the West of Ireland, the news has been met with delight, as it means Galway United will remain in the top tier as opposed to competing with fellow local sides, Mervue United and Salthilll Devon, in the second division.
The irony of the matter is that the Tribesmen were originally promoted to the Premier Division thanks to criteria laid down by the FAI, which the Terryland Park club met.’

A few other things;

I have never heard Derry City called the Brandywell Bhoys. Have you just decided to link them with Celtic because they are a mainly Catholic supported team playing in Northern Ireland? Do you call Shamrock Rovers The Tallaght Stadium Bhoys?

The following paragraph does not make any sense;

‘Upon the incarceration off the Eircom Premier Division, 21 clubs who were members of the old first division or second division were scrutinised and ranked according to their performances on the pitch and their infrastructure.’

Did you possibly mean incarnation of the Eircom Premier Division(which wouldnt be right either by the way but would be closer to the truth then what you have here). All clubs from the both divisions were assesed 11 from the Premier Division and 10 from the First Division.

‘Waterford United and Dundalk failed to meet the required standards and the pair dropped into the second tier despite having rightfully earned their place in the top league. Meanwhile Galway were shuffled up the rankings and slotted into the top league, thanks to their realistic and attainable plans for the club.’

Dundalk played in the First Division that season and so didnt ‘drop’ into the First for the 2007 season.

‘Galway had suffered a miserable start to life in the Premier Division under Tony Cousins. Former Republic of Ireland and Blackburn Rovers full back, Jeff Kenna, took over the helm at Terryland Park.’

You missed a season here, Galway United avoided relegation in 2007 with Tony Cousins in charge. 2008 was the season in which Kenna came in.

Last but not least;’Promotions and regulations all achieved on technicalities, Galway United fans will be praying that in the not too distant future their side will come across a piece of legislation in a dusty FAI manual that sees them win a first league title.’

I think you mean relegations not regulations.

You appear to be trying way to hard to show a hard hitting opinion and are making a point out of nothing. The fact is even most Derry City fans agree that they deserved to be demoted.
Shane on November 15th, 2009 at 8:03pm

Everyone needs to chill out its a sh*t league, to quote a wiseman on galway utd:
sh*t league
sh*t team
who gives two stuffs
not me
GUFC on November 15th, 2009 at 8:23pm

Wow that’s some really positive insight right there Shane. What are you basing this on? And do you mind me asking who you support?
Shane on November 15th, 2009 at 8:26pm

When is the last time gufc won a title? I follow the rugby a real mans sport
Kieran Beckles on November 15th, 2009 at 8:26pm

@ Conor

Missed a few unacceptable typing mistakes which have been changed.
GUFC on November 15th, 2009 at 10:29pm

So all teams that haven’t won a title in a while are “shit” teams all of a sudden? That would mean that many many teams in this world are “sh*t” according to your skewed logic. You are just like the writer of this article, pretending to know all about something you know nothing about.
Shane on November 15th, 2009 at 11:06pm

No I think a team which has never won the league in the top division is sh*t mate
Tomombo on November 15th, 2009 at 11:45pm

@Conor and GUFC,

But especially conor,

F@%(ing idiots

Obviously sad people with sad lives who have to time to crticise an article so much and defend a crap team. How about ye take a chill pill and support a better team, like Sligo Rovers
Conor on November 16th, 2009 at 12:04pm

I may have been a bit pedantic regarding the spelling mistakes but there are still alot of factual inaccuracies in the article, which I have pointed out, which remain.
Ronan on November 16th, 2009 at 5:35pm

Re: Shane
Out of interest which perma-tanned bunch of bodily hair shaving ‘real men’ rugby team do you support? Why bother commenting on an article which has seemingly little relevance to you, when afterall you say you are a rugby fan and not a soccer one, strange!
Tomombo on November 17th, 2009 at 12:54am

Ronan, we are all entitled to our opinion, what Shane says is none of your business. Connacht for life.
GUFC on November 17th, 2009 at 4:46pm

Wow the level of intelligence coming from both Tomombo and Shane is staggering….
Ronan on November 17th, 2009 at 8:30pm

Cant agree more GUFC. And for the record Tomombo if someone is posting on a public forum and willing to dish it out then surely they can also answer simple questions. If we were all to use your logic then there would be very little room for debate on such topics.
cc on November 17th, 2009 at 9:51pm

is this a hockey league?
Snackz on November 18th, 2009 at 1:13am

Ronan, cc and GUFC, go f**k youselves
Ronan on November 18th, 2009 at 1:16am

Sorry Tomombo and Shane, i was wrong, so wrong. How can I make it up to you both. I unreservedly apologise I was stirring up unecessary garbage.
GUFC on November 18th, 2009 at 1:17am

I also apologise guys. Sorry
Jonny on November 19th, 2009 at 7:11pm

league of Ireland is up there with the scottish league for providing depressing muck

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