GALWAY UNITED HAVE appointed Shane Keegan as their new manager on a two-year contract.
The 34-year-old — the second youngest manager in the league — takes over the reins at Eamonn Deacy Park after spending five years in charge of Wexford Youths.
His appointment is a significant blow to Wexford, who lost their Premier Division status in the most dramatic of circumstances to Drogheda United in Friday’s promotion/relegation play-off.
Keegan guided Youths to the First Division title last year and although the club suffered relegation heartache this campaign, he is widely-regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in the country.
He was identified as one of the outstanding candidates to succeed Tommy Dunne at Galway following his departure in September.
“I have always seen Galway United as a fantastic club with massive potential,” Keegan said.
“Having met with the chairman and members of the board, it was exciting to hear the plans that they have for the club for the coming years and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to play a role in driving those plans forward.
“The facilities, both in terms of training ground and the stadium at Eamonn Deacy Park, are second to none. Their underage structure is one of the best in the country and saw them reach the under-19 final this season. This shows the level of the young talent at the club.
“When you combine all of that with the support that they’ve received from the business community in Galway, and in particular the Comer brothers, everything seems to be in place for the club to continue to develop and grow.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for me as a manager. I look forward to meeting up with the players from this season’s squad and also sitting down to talk with players who could come on board and play a part in the future of the club. I’m also really looking forward to organising an opportunity to meet with the club’s strong supporter base as I would like to outline my plans to them and I greatly welcome their input.”
Galway finished ninth in the Premier Division this season.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
