Galway United appoint Alan Murphy as Under 17 manager

BALLINROBE native Alan Murphy has been appointed the Galway United Under 17 team manager.

A former player with the Tribesmen, Murphy has been involved in managing youth teams at a national level and Connaught schools level, as well as Galway FA's Under 15 squad with Billy Clery, the Bish's Under 15s and also, in the past, the Galway United Under 19s.

“We’re delighted to have Alan on board,” said head of football development and first team coach Johnny Glynn. “He has developed a great track record in coaching and managing, and has a very good knowledge of all the players in the Under 17 age group.

“He’s obviously a well known former Galway United player, has a very good profile for the club, and is very, very good at engaging with young people.”

Described as a 'club legend' in a post announcing his appointment on the Galway United website, Murphy returns to the club he joined as a 16-year-old. He scored 73 goals for the Tribesmen, a tally only surpassed by Paul ‘Ski’ McGee - by a single goal.

“I’ve always wanted to be involved with the club and this was the perfect opportunity to come back on board,” said Murphy. “It looks like a good structure now, with the Under 15s, Under 17s, Under 19s and senior teams, in terms of moving forward and bringing young players through, trying to get them into the first team.”

Murphy said the club is not just looking at Galway city but the wider region for players. “It’s a great opportunity. There’s a huge amount of talent to be tapped in the region. In recently years, others have been active in that regard but we have such good structures in place now, I would hope that we would be competing for young players across the whole Connaught region once again.”

Galway United will hold Under 17 assessments for players born in 2000 on Saturday (January 21) at the Westside astroturf, behind Westside library and church, at 9 p.m. To book a place, players muct contact Alan Murphy on (086) 6007838 or alanfmurphy@gmail.com by 6 p.m. on Friday (January 20). Players are requested to arrive togged. Shower facilities will be provided afterwards in the community centre.