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terryland As much as I have enjoyed writing this column for Maroon View I regret to inform you the loyal GU supporters that this is my last one! I no longer believe that the club’s ambition matches mine and feel the time is right to move on. I have let the directors know my feelings and they couldn’t provide me with any reason to believe that the situation will improve next season. They refuse to assure me that there will be adequate funds available to secure the services of this season’s squad or a transfer kitty to enhance the squad to challenge for European qualification in 2011. As I am not under contract I have circulated my availability to other like-minded people in the game and so far it’s been very promising. Jose rang from Madrid but even though I could touch base easier with Rafael Nadal in Spain I’m not sure I want to put the effort into learning Spanish. Alex was first to e-mail back but felt that my admiration for Roy Keane might disrupt things a bit at Old Trafford as I might accuse the players of taking everything for granted, not trying hard enough and slag off the fans as prawn cocktail followers. This lady with a Geordie accent keeps leaving messages on my voice-mail begging me to ‘fight, fight, fight, fight for her love’... but seriously Cheryl the weather is bad enough in Galway I’m not sure if I want to end up in Geordieland! (Sorry Vinnie she doesn’t like Taytos… read Backroom Staff Profile for more). Some American guy keeps ringing my landline about ‘Pool and Red Sox but I’m not sure what that’s about. I am seriously considering a move to Elland Road to help out Simon Grayson improving Leeds’ consistency but after 3 home defeats in a row I’m not sure the programme would sell as many as Maroon View. So my commission could suffer… OK, OK if Pat McDonagh agrees to provide a slice of pizza and Nick Leeson brings me a mug of tea at half-time I will consider staying on next season… but I want a yellow snack as well to seal the deal! I await a quick response or else the next time Leeds are on Sky Sports you could hear a familiar voice!
This is it! The play-off with Bray. If our boys perform to the best of their ability I know we can assure Premier Division football at Terryland for next season! 10 points out of 12 against the reigning champions Bohs shows the potential at GU. Three players selected for Ireland at U-23 level and the same players Stephen o Donnell, Seamus Conneely & Karl Sheppard featuring in selections at League of Ireland XI, U-21 & 23 and U-19 & U-21 level respectively show the quality of footballer playing for GU. We have had regular selections throughout the season on the weekly Airtricity Team of the week including 3 after the Bohs match: Jason Molloy, Seamus Conneely & Barry Ryan. When our first 11 are fit we can match anyone in this League and wasn’t it heartening to see players like Jonathan Keane and Jason Molloy perform so well against Bohs in our 3-2 victory? Both of these players have missed many matches through injury and many supporters wondered if either would fully realise their potential. On that performance it is a distinct possibility! The enforced emergence in recent weeks of so many young players due to injury and suspension has provided us with a glimpse of the future and two of those in particular, Stephen Walsh and Gary Kelly (get the bloody shirt numbers right tonight lads please!), look set for many more appearances for The Tribesmen. As this is my last column… no sign of the yellow snack… come on guys… it’s only fair that I complete it with my All-Time Galway United XI (minus that legendary striker who hit the winner against Liverpool in the Fantasy Football match recently): Tommy Lally, Seamus Conneely, Mark Herrick, Derek Rogers, John Herrick, Jay O Shea, Chick Deacy (Capt), Gerry Mullan, Johnny Glynn, Paul McGee and… wait for it, Derek O Brien! Subs: Barry Ryan, Kieran McDaid, Ricky O Flaherty, Stephen Lally, Denis Bonner, Kevin Cassidy & Noel Mernagh). Come on United, we can do it! Mike Geraghty (mgwords.com)