We have an article from Mike Geraghty who is the public announcer for United's home games. Unfortunately Mike's article on Hull City did not make the match programme due to printing constraints in the sold out issue.

As any true Galway United fan will tell you there is only one true tiger at Terryland Park and his name is Terry! However tonight there is competition as Roary the Tiger leads Hull City into battle with Terry the Tiger’s Galway United troops. Hull City were founded in 1904 and 104 years later finally made the journey to the top division in England to compete in the Premier League! For decades Hull were in the shadow of Yorkshire rivals Leeds and the two Sheffield sides United and Wednesday. But now they are flying the flag in the Premier League as their local rivals strive to return to the top flight! The Tiger’s ascent from the lowest division in the English League to the top division in just 5 years is astounding. Particularly when you consider that they were relegated to the third division in 1991and it took 15 years to return to the Championship (old second division) following consecutive promotions as runners-up from Division 3 in 2003-04 and League 1 in 2004-05. They battled to stay in the championship for the following two seasons finishing 18th in 2006 and 21st in 2007 before gaining promotion to the Premier league via the play-offs in 2008. Last season Hull finished 17th in their first ever season in the top division and no doubt will be striving hard to maintain their status this season but their ‘tigerish attitude’ gives them a fighting chance!

Hull City have a fair Irish contingent at the moment with Stephen Hunt, Kevin Kilbane, Paul McShane and Caleb Folan featuring prominently in Ireland’s recent World Cup Campaign. The East Yorkshire team also feature club record signing (£5m from Fulham) Jimmy Bullard, currently recovering from a knee injury, the much-travelled Nicky Barmby; who having lined out for Spurs, Middlesboro, Everton, Liverpool and Leeds returned to his local club to assist with their incredible ascent to the top, Brazilian midfielder Giovanni(previously with Man. City) and Dutchmen George Boateng and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (there’s a mouthful for any commentator) who played for Aston Villa and Celtic respectively. We wish Hull City all the best in their survival battle but tonight we want Terry and not Roary the Tiger to be celebrating. Don’t be surprised if Hull manager Phil Brown keeps his team on the pitch at half-time for a lecture if Galway United are winning! Just to leave you with a little known fact: Caleb Folan’s grandfather is from Inis Mor and his grandmother is from Galway. Could he be related to Ciaran Foley? In all fairness with genes like that he should be playing in a maroon shirt!

Mike Geraghty, (mgwords.com)