Early Club History

**historynut** · 03/04/2007, 3:54 PM

Looking for info re honours won between formation in 1937 and election to eircom league in 1977 ie whilst a non-league/junior club. Believe they were Connaught Junior Cup finalists in 1946/47 and 1948/49, but cannot find any record of winning this cup am I wrong. Any details known of Galway League championships ?
Maybe stirring hornets nest but why were Rovers as they were then known elected as from what limited info held appears that Hibs and Bohemians were more succesfull and seems well documented that Terryland owned by Galway FA. Would be interested to hear. Cheers

**Patrick Dunne** · 03/04/2007, 9:00 PM

Galway Bohemians were apparently favourites to be elected to the
then League of Ireland. Anecdotal evidence tells me that the then chairman
of Athlone Town (Seamus O'Brien ? ) was instrumental in getting Galway Rovers
into the league, although it was never made clear to me whether he just wanted
a Galway side in the LOI, or Galway Rovers in particular.

One thing is for certain. Those behind Galway Rovers were heroic visionaries, who took a gamble and brought senior football to Galway.

The best source of information would be newspaper archives. NUIG have the national broadsheets on microfilm.

**historynut** · 04/04/2007, 12:11 AM

Patrick
Thanks for reply , intresting comments. Know soccer had slow start for obvious reasons in Ireand, just suprised re Galways size took till 1977 to get team in National League. Not in Ireland so a little difficult to get to NUIG.

**Paddyfield** · 04/04/2007, 9:23 PM

Originally Posted by historynut

Patrick
Thanks for reply , intresting comments. Know soccer had slow start for obvious reasons in Ireand, just suprised re Galways size took till 1977 to get team in National League. Not in Ireland so a little difficult to get to NUIG.

The population of the Galway was only around 20,000 in the 1960's but grew to 30,000 in the mid 70's which might explain the slow take up. There are 72,000 people living in Glaway now and there are 120,000 within a 20 mile radius of the city.

Many Galway natives played for other LOI Clubs most notably Sligo Rovers and Limerick United (as they were known then). Soccer wasn't really played in Galway schools and GAA was encouraged. Many of the Galway All Ireland 3-in-a-row players were teachers in Galway so the foreign game was frowned upon. Nevertheless, soccer clubs were starting to bloom most notably Hibs, Bohs, Mervue, Salthill etc.

The first LOI game in Terryland was a big affair but facilities were nill. There was no perimeter wall, no toilets, no running water and the changing rooms were dire. Spectator facilities were below basic too.

.

**historynut** · 05/04/2007, 10:24 AM

Appreciate that, gives an interesting insight. Take it only Terryland offers spectator facilities. Had a gander at once-not bad. Also Mervue good club house but dont recall any facilities. Think Bohs oldest of current clubs 1933, United(previous Rovers) 1937, Hibs 1942, Mervue 1960, Salthill Devon 1977 (though as per their web a Salthill Ath was around cica 1960), Renmore 1977?. Know a Galway club won first Connaught Club 1928/29 wether actual club or town select unsure. Also runn/up 29/30, 30/31.33/34.
Other Galway involvement that I can track (if correct).
Bohs wins in 37/38,51/52,52/53,53/54,54/55,57/58. Runners/up 41/42,45/46,55/56. (MUST HAVE BEEN SOME TEAM EARLY-MID 50'S)
United(prev. Rovers) as of yet cant tace a win but Runn/up 46/47,48/49,57/58
Hibs wins in 78/79,93/94,99/00,00/01, Run/up 77/78, 85/86
Mervue (nb possible confusion re Conn senior finals) wins in 81/82,92/93,97/98,01/02,04/05, Run/up 79/80,84/85
Salt Dev. Unaware of any final appearance
NUIG (or UCG) wins 66/67, 72/73
Other poss Galway apps
Shamrock Ath win 56/57, West Utd win 74/75,Runn/up 75/76,86/87 Crescent Utd win 91/92, O.L.B.C. Runn/up 59/60,73/74, Galway Descpo (?)Runn/up 76/77
Not sure when Galway&District started but believe first league may have been a small one (4-6 tems) in 1925/26 won by a Celtic Albion Run/up Celtic.
If anyone can add or show amendments thanks

**GuisaSaigon** · 05/04/2007, 3:28 PM

Not sure if it will help you but galway united archive http://homepage.eircom.net/~galwayutdarchive/index.htm is a great resource site for Galway United/Rovers stats

**historynut** · 05/04/2007, 4:10 PM

Guisasaigon appreciate suggestion had look apart from early photos , nothing of what I'm looking for, but thanks.

**west awake** · 06/04/2007, 1:13 AM

west united founded in 1945,won the connacht cup in 1975 defeating westport and won it again in 1982 by defeating southern wanderer's(roscommon)2-1 ,they also won the connacht youth cup in 1972 and 1982 and the connacht senior cup in 1994 defeating straide and foxford 2-1!

**historynut** · 06/04/2007, 12:00 PM

Wwest Awake, big thanks for that more than useful. Score I have was 5-1 against Westport (bit of a mauling for a final). The info I had on the 81/82 final was Mervue beat Southern Wanderers(from Rscmn League history source), but your name suggest you are West Utd man and will no doubt know what and when you have won, so will amend record. Apparently Southern Wanderers were the Roscommon Leagues first representation in a Connaught Cup Final, since leagues formation under current format in 1970/71. But with Castlerea's age and participation in Mayo League prior to 1970 interested to know if they may have reached any finals between 1928-1970.
Are you aware of other CON cup finals and in respect of WestUtd any Galway League titles won. Need to be careful posted this here looking for early info on Utd when known as Rovers prior to League entry. Please look at my thred in Junior section on Conn Cup. Appreciate any further info you can offer. NB West Utd runners-up 86/87 1-2 v Westport, also runn/up 75/76 but do not know winners.