GALWAY UNITED (Eamonn Deacy Park)

FAI CUP 1st ROUND, GALWAY UNITED 4-1 BANGOR CELTIC, ATTENDANCE: c500

This weekend I crossed the Irish Sea for two games in the first round of the FAI Cup and, also, my first competitive action of season 2023/24.

First port of call was Galway and, after catching a morning train from Dublin, I arrived early afternoon for a brisk walk around the city. The city centre was rammed as the Galway International Arts Festival was on and, amongst the events, the streets were lined with people trying to catch a glimpse of a 30ft mechanical dragon.

The soccer club was founded in 1937 as Galway Rovers but did not join the League of Ireland until 1977. The club changed name to Galway United in 1981. In 2011 the club suffered financial difficulties and dropped out of the League before returning as Galway FC in 2014.

When Galway United joined the League of Ireland in 1977 they made Terryland Park, as it was then known, their home. The ground was, and still is, the home of the Galway Football Association. The ground was renamed Eamonn Deacy Park in 2012 after the tragic passing of the former Galway, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland player. It was Deacy who scored Galway's first ever goal in the League of Ireland against Thurles Town on 2nd October 1977.

Galway United are currently in the second tier of Irish football, after suffering relegation when the League of Ireland was restructured in 2017, but look on course for a return to the top flight this season as they are well ahead in top spot.

For this first round Irish cup tie The Tribesmen's opponents were Bangor Celtic, a club from Crumlin in the Southside of Dublin, who play in the Leinster Senior League.

The glaringly obvious difference between the sides is that Galway are currently mid-season whilst Bangor Celtic are in pre-season and it showed, Galway comfortably going through to the last 16 with this 4-1 victory. It could/should have been more. 

Having said that they were given an almighty scare when Celtic took the lead within the first 2 minutes after Adam Maher's cross (let's be honest) drifted over the 'keeper and into the net.

From that point though Galway dominated and goals from Wassim Aouachria (14) and a Stephen Walsh brace (39, 45) ensured a half-time lead. Killian Brouder (52) headed home a fourth but, surprisingly, that's where the scoring ended.

I must mention the pitch at Deacy Park, it was immaculate today, especially after taking an absolute hammering the previous 24 hours. All credit to the groundstaff. I must admit my heart sank a little seeing the flooded fields as the train rolled into Galway but game was never in doubt!

Luckily there will be no worries for tomorrow's action as Dundalk's Oriel Park has a 3G pitch!