SD Galway and Mervue kick off season with weekend friendlies
Salthill Devon Galway, the newly rebranded League of Ireland outfit, will kick off its season on Saturday with the first of three friendlies.
Sligo Rovers are the first visitors on Saturday (2pm), while Drogheda and UCD will also take on SD Galway on February 11 and 18 respectively. All the pre-season friendlies will be played at Drom.
The club is also hoping to add a fourth fixture against Bohemians which will be played midweek.
SD Galway, managed by former United boss Tony Mannion, and currently assisted by Steven Haynes and John Mannion, has signed a host of new players in advance of the new division one season. Goalkeeper Ronan Forde will be joined by fellow Mervue player Nicky Curran, while the club has secured the services of six former Galway United players, Enda Curran, Ciaran Foley, Eric Brown, Mixie Harty, Sean Gavin, formerly with Salthill, and Willy Okai. Former NUIG and Fanad United goalkeeper Liam Grant and Galway Hibs’ Mike Tierney complete the list of current signings, although more are expected over the next week.
In addition Mannion is also expecting several u-19 youngsters to break into the first team, notably Colm Horgan, Jason Lyons and Timmy Molloy who all featured at some point last season.
Mervue friendlies
Mervue will kick off with an away friendly against defending premier division champions Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium on Saturday, followed by the only home friendly which takes place on Friday February 10 against another premier division side, Drogheda United, at Fahy’s Field.
The following Friday (February 17), Mervue face Shelbourne in Whitehall before the club heads across to England for a fixture with a Reading XI on Monday February 20 during a four day training camp.
A final pre-season game has also been lined up against St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park on Friday February 24. Kick-off times for all games have yet to be confirmed.
Manager Johnny Glynn continues to build his squad with former Galway United player Gary Kelly becoming the third new signing for Mervue United, joining Stephen Walsh and Ronan Forde for the upcoming season.
Season tickets are currently on sale for the new season. A full season ticket costs €60 (Airtricity matches), concession tickets €50 for OAPs, while children u-14 accompanied by an adult get free admission to all home games again this season. Season tickets are available from the Mervue United clubhouse at Fahy’s Field 091-771609 and all club officials and committee members.