Galway United will complete a busy pre-season programme with friendlies against Athlone Town and Longford Town ahead of the start of the new campaign on Friday week.

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK . . . Galway United's week-long training camp in Ipswich Town allowed old friends Alan Ferguson, the Ipswich Town head groundsman, and his Galway United counterpart Noel Connolly the opportunity to discuss new methods. Both are former winners of Groundsman of the Year in their respective leagues.

United will travel to Athlone tomorrow for a return game against the midlanders at Lisswoolen at 7.45pm.

Then on Friday United will go to Flancare Park to take on relegated Longford Town. United manager Tony Cousins is likely to use two different teams for the games following last week's successful trip to Ipswich Town.

United went down 2-1 to Ipswich Town's reserve side in a full-blooded encounter that was played a fast tempo.

Mark Leech continued his good goal-scoring form with a first-half strike before Ipswich equalised with a penalty before the break and then went on to snatch a late winner.

United spent the week at Ipswich and Cousins was full of praise for the way they were looked after by his old friend Jim Magilton, the Ipswich manager, and all at the club.

Cousins said that following the successful trip, the two clubs intend strengthening the link between Galway United and Ipswich Town with players likely to go in both directions.

"Hopefully it is a link we can build on. It is brilliant to have that bond which can be of mutual benefit," said Cousins.

His Ipswich counterpart Jim Magilton was equally keen, saying: "Having the lads in an environment away from Portman Road and away from the training ground will allow these lads to have an experience of another country and another set-up.

"It is about forming bonds with other clubs. Everything about that suggests we could have a real friendship," he said.

Meanwhile, Galway United have been drawn at home to Longford Town in the eircom League Cup in a tie that will take place towards the end of March.

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