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Tribesmen on the warpath
 By
Graham Clifford
Few clubs in the Eircom League can boast a former Liverpool player as
their manager but Galway United can.
Tony Cousins may not have featured for the Reds first-team in his short
spell at Anfield but his pedigree is still of the highest quality.
If that wasn’t enough the Terryland club have the infamous Nick
Leeson as their general manager.
The man who brought Barings Bank to its knees running up losses of £827million
is now responsible for keeping Galway United in football’s top flight.
Fans of the Corribsiders will be keeping their fingers crossed that their
side’s ambitions in the Eircom Premier League don’t collapse
in the same way Leeson’s previous employers did!
So far this season Galway have struggled as they attempt to adapt to life
back in the top-flight.
However a defiant Cousins says he’s in no doubt that he has seen
signs of improvement and that vital wins in the League will be collected
shortly.
Cousins said: “We are coming on leaps and bounds. We are playing
at an extremely high level. We are a great addition to the league.
“I wouldn’t be too panicky. You cannot ask anything more of
the players than I get week-in week-out and all we need now is a bit of
luck on our side.”
The Dubliner was appointed first-team manager of Galway United in June
of last year and before that was assistant manager at both Drogheda United
and Shamrock Rovers.
The Tribesmen possess a depth of experience in their squad which should
help in their battle for League survival.
The star of the show in the west so far this season has been Cork man
Stephen O’Flynn. Standing at 6ft 2ins the former Derry City, Limerick
FC and Wimbledon man has hit two League goals this season while the likes
of Philip Reilly learned his trade with Manchester City.
It’s been 10 years since United last captured the League Cup and
supporters of the men in maroon would give anything to see some top silverware
makes its way west.
Boasting a stadium with a capacity of 5,500 the decision to include them
in this year’s Premier League was generally warmly applauded across
the country.
They’ve already stifled some of the League’s heavyweights
this season having recorded draws against Cork City, Longford Town and
Bohemians but manager Cousins will be all too aware that unless they can
find their scoring boots then it may be a long campaign for his boys.
Regardless of how United fare in the first-half of the season the club
can look forward to a visit from Roy Keane’s Premiership-bound Sunderland
in August.
The Tribesmen will be one of three Eircom sides to host the Black Cats
in a clash which should boost the coffers of the club.
For now though all eyes will be on the Premiership table as the unlikely
combination of Cousins and Leeson bid to keep Galway in the top-flight
paving the way for a push for honours in seasons to come. |
