Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Undoubtedly the biggest surprise of the League of Ireland's opening round of Friday night fixtures was Galway United's 3-0 stunner over St Pat's at Richmond Park in Dublin. Galway, who just a month into last season looked to be dead certain of being relegated. Tony Cousins was fired and in was brought Jeff Kenna, former Ireland international and a star at Birmingham, Southampton, and Blackburn in his playing career. Things got worse amidst news of financial problems and the loss of key players, causing Kenna to register himself as a player. Somehow Galway beat the odds and pulled off the great escape, winning on the last day of the season to ensure they stayed in the top flight. Many thought Pats, last year's runners-up to runaway Bohemians, were heavy favorites to win their opener in front of an expectant home crowd who are demanding another high placing, perhaps title contention. But Galway undoubtedly were out to prove a point, for Kenna left the Tribesmen in the offseason just a season after taking the job to become manager of St Pat's, causing some in the crowd to hold up signs labeling him "Judas Jeff." Former pats player Derek O'Brien opened the scoring on 16 minutes, and was involved again in the set up of the second goal, giving a sublime pass to Vinny Faherty for an easy finish and shocking the Pats faithful. And it was O'Brien again who struck just two minutes later to bag his brace and ensure the trip back west would be a happy one for players and fans alike, and disappointment for their Dublin opponents. Galway have been picked by many to be among the bottom teams of the table, but after this performance it seems some things will have to be reassessed. Jay O'Shea looked set to move to Derby County in the offseason, but it was called off as Paul Jewell was fired. The captain was clearly a cut above the rest of Galway's squad last year, and his efforts were rewarded with U23 caps, to go along with previous U21 and U19 honors for Ireland. Barry Ryan, who joined in the offseason from, you guessed it, Pats, boosts the goalkeeping ranks at Terryland and is a major step up from last year's first choice Alvin Rouse. Sean Kelly was thought to have a bright future after impressing at Irish underage ranks and playing for Arsenal's youth teams, but failure to break into Cork City's first team in the past two seasons led new manager Paul Doolin to send him on loan to Galway. Garry Breen, an Ireland U21 who joined the club in February from Hereford, impressed along with the rest of the back four, made up of Seamus Conneely, Shane Guthrie, and Iarhflaith Davoren. With the experienced pair of Faherty and O'Brien already producing up front, and O'Shea's commanding presence leading the midfield along with talented youngster Cian McBrien and offseason addition Michael McGrath, the right mixture of exuberant youth and battle-tested veterans could see Ian Foster's charges surprise fans around the country with their performances this season.

-Andrew McCarten