The new season is well underway and it provides players with a fresh start and the opportunity to improve on their game or re-establish themselves.
Galway has produced a number of excellent footballers down the years, including David Forde and, most recently, Aaron Connolly, who is displaying enormous potential at Brighton in the Premier League. Here, however, we take a look at three Galway-born players to watch in the second tier of the English football pyramid.
Daryl Horgan
The 28-year-old winger signed for newly-promoted Wycombe Wanderers over the summer as he departed Hibernian after a two-year stay. Horgan has been capped 6-times by the Republic of Ireland national team but is still searching for his first goal for the senior side.
As reported by https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53999821, his former manager Jack Ross has praised his dedication and work ethic explaining ‘Daryl was a real pleasure to work with – a manager’s dream in the way he applied himself every day.’
Horgan has certainly made a strong first impression for his new team, scoring on his debut in the EFL Cup match against Brentford. Wycombe Wanderers will hope Horgan can maintain this form throughout the season to help in their fight for survival.
The club are currently 1/4 favourites to go back down to League One at League of Ireland club Bohemians’ online casino and betting partner https://mrgreen.com/ie/. Horgan will hope to drag Wycombe Wanderers to safety and put himself back in contention for the national team in the process. More odds can be found at http://www.sportsbettingday.com.
Ryan Manning
Manning currently plies his trade for Queen’s Park Rangers but with contract talks at a stalemate, the left wing-back (also capable in midfield) is being linked to a host of other clubs.
Premier League side West Ham are rumoured to be amongst the potential suitors as well as Championship sides like Blackburn. Manning established himself as one of the league’s top full-backs last season with an impressive four goals and seven assists to his name.
With one year left on his contract, the 24-year old Galway native could represent fantastic value in the transfer market. Manning is at a pivotal stage in his career and looks capable of raising his game to the next level. With 8 caps for the senior side already, Manning will be determined to establish himself as a national squad mainstay.
Greg Cunningham
A youth player at Manchester City, Cunningham’s recent career has been beset by injuries; including an ACL tear whilst on loan for Blackburn Rovers last season.
Currently at Cardiff City, Cunningham appears to be determined to re-establish himself in the team under the tutelage of their new manager Neil Harris.
Indeed, the experienced left-back has stated to https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/: ‘I’ve got a point to prove to show that I can get back to the way that I can play and that’s the plan now under Neil Harris.’
There is certainly a huge amount of goodwill towards Cunningham and fans will hope he can fulfil his obvious talents without any further hindrances from injury.
All three players have points to prove in different ways this season, some will hope to find the next level and some will hope to return to past glories.
The trio are blessed with serious talent and their progress will provide plenty of intrigue throughout the season ahead. Can any or all of this Galway triumvirate force their way back into the national side? Time will tell.
