Galway United vs. Drogheda United Preview
by Ben Patterson Kyne
Galway United will kick off their 2026 League of Ireland Premier Division campaign at 19:45 on Friday, with Drogheda United visiting Eamonn Deacy Park. United start the campaign at home, before two difficult trips to Dublin to face St. Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne.
After narrowly avoiding the relegation play-off last year, United begin the season with a major squad rebuild, as a vast number of experienced players have left the club. Goalkeeper Brendan Clarke has dropped down to the First Division with Athlone Town, defenders Garry Buckley (to Cobh Ramblers), Jeannot Esua (to Sligo Rovers), Bobby Burns (to Dundalk) and Rob Slevin (to Derry City) have all left, as well as talisman Patrick Hickey moving to Bohemians. Captain Greg Cunningham has now retired. Jimmy Keohane takes over the captain's armband for this season, with David Hurley as vice-captain.
United have also brought in reinforcements, Francely Lomboto has returned following his stint in Glenavon and Al-Amin Kazeem has come in from St. Pat's after he impressed for United on loan in 2024. Three Canadians have joined the squad, Kris Twardek and Gianfranco Facchineri have been brought in from the now defunct Valour FC, with Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau also transferred in from Vancouver Whitecaps. The club has also secured the loans of Connor Barratt (Barnsley) and two Swansea players: defender Arthur Parker and goalkeeper Evan Watts who was on loan last season.
There also have been changes to backroom staff, as John Caulfield is joined by former Cork City and Cobh Ramblers caretaker manager Richie Holland, as he takes on the assistant manager role. Mark Herrick has become the new opposition analyst.
Despite being hotly tipped for relegation before last season, manager Kevin Doherty guided Drogheda to an unexpected sixth-place finish, being in a title race for the first half of the seasson. The 2024 FAI Cup winners were however denied a spot in the 2025-26 UEFA Conference League, as their owners breached UEFA's joint ownership rules.
Drogheda have also had outgoings, key player from last season Darragh Markey has joined Derry City, and Douglas James-Taylor moved to Bohs after his productive loan spell in the first half of last season. They have brought in two players from England, Jack Stretton coming from Morecambe on a free and Jago Godden on loan from Walsall. Sligo Rovers' Edwin Agbaje has also signed for Drogs on a free transfer.
A very important opening game for United with two tricky tests following, and an opportunity to replicate last season's promising start which can create a platform to push up the table.
