| United beef up squad for return to Premier Division |
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| Written by Liam Horan | |
| Wednesday, 10 January 2007 | |
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Galway United have signed several new players as they bulk up their squad for their return to the top flight in 2007 - and boss Tony Cousins expects to announce some more signings before pre-season training starts on January 22nd. Midfielder Colm James (23) has joined from Bray Wanderers, and striker Chris Armstrong (22) is on his way west from St Patrick's Athletic. "We are going full-time professional and I am happy that we are signing players who can add to the quality of our squad. "I am also talking to two goalkeepers who haven't played before in the eircom League, and I am also hoping to sign a centre-back, a left-sided player, and a centre-forward before the season gets underway," said Cousins. With Finn Harps turning down a substantial offer for Conor Gethins, who impressed when he came on loan during the last season, Cousins has beefed up his strikeforce for next season with the signing of Stephen O'Flynn from Derry City. The 24 year old has put pen to paper as Galway United prepare for a return to the top flight of Irish football after an absence of five seasons. "Stephen is a quality player and will fit in perfectly with the type of game we will be trying to play," said United boss Cousins. "We are putting together an exciting side for next season and Stephen will be part of that." St Pat's and Longford had also been chasing the Mallow-born striker who cost Derry City ?10,000 when he moved to Brandywell from Cork City two years ago. He scored nine goals in 48 appearances for Derry City, with many of his appearances coming off the bench. O'Flynn was Cousins' second new signing of the close season, with 24 year old midfielder John Lester also linking up with the side last week. And manager Cousins said the decision that the experienced Billy Clery would fill a dual role of U21 trainer and senior squad member was a key one for the sport in Galway.. "We are delighted that Billy will be U21 manager, because he is very experienced and a United man through and through. We want to bring on players in the 18-21 bracket from around Galway," said Cousins. United will commence pre-season training on January 22nd and will play a number of pre-season friendlies before heading to Spain on February 20 for a one-week training camp. The pre-season fixtures include away to Waterford (Feb 9th), home to Finn Harps (Feb 16th) and at home to Athlone Town (March 3rd). The league will commence on March 9th but it has emerged this week that it may be the start of February before the fixtures are finalised. |
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