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Galway United return to action this Friday night, when they face Shelbourne at Tolka Park, in the Tribesmen’s first away game of the 2026 campaign.
Shels come into this game following an opening day 1-1 draw against Waterford at the RSC. Like United, Joey O’Brien’s charges had their game last Friday night against Shamrock Rovers postponed, as the Tolka Park pitch was deemed unplayable.
The 2024 league champions have held onto the majority of their squad from last season, with Harry Wood, Paddy Barrett and Mipo Odubeko all key men for Shels.
O’Brien has made a number of new signings ahead of the new season, with Will Jarvis being an eye-catching addition. Jarvis was previously on loan at Shels, and impressed during his last spell in north Dublin.
Shelbourne had an impressive finish to the 2025 season, which saw them finish third in the league and they secured European football as a result.
Shelbourne squad: Wessel Speel, Conor Walsh, Ali Topcu, Kameron Ledwidge, Odhran Casey, Paddy Barrett, Sean Gannon, Sam Bone, James Norris, Sean Moore, Milan Mbeng, Will Jarvis, Maill Lundgren, Kerr McInroy, JJ Lunney, Jack Henry-Francis, Harry Wood, Evan Caffrey, Ellis Chapman, Daniel Kelly, Ali Coote, Rodrigo Freitas, Sean Boyd, Mipo Odubeko, John Martin.
Galway began their campaign with an opening day narrow defeat against Drogheda United at Eamonn Deacy Park last time out.
Despite the westerners being the better side for the majority of the contest against Drogheda, the visitors struck the winner late on, to take all three points.
United were scheduled to face St. Patrick’s Athletic last Friday at Richmond Park, however the game was postponed as the Inchicore venue was deemed unplayable.
John Caulfield has made a number of new signings for 2026, with Wasiri Williams, Kris Twardek, Lee Devitt, Matty Wolfe, Gianfranco Facchineri, Al-Amin Kazeem, Francely Lomboto, Arthur Parker, Hugo Pires Da Cunha, Nicholas Fleuriau Chateau and Connor Barratt all joining.
Williams, Twardek, Devitt, Wolfe, Facchineri, Lomboto and Parker all played in the Tribesmen's opening day defeat, in a positive United display, despite the result. Parker in particular looked good in defence, while Lomboto looked lively throughout the contest in attack.
Unfortunately for United, Dara McGuinness is ruled out for the majority of the first half of the season.
Galway United squad: Evan Watts, Hugo Pires Da Cunha, Killian Brouder, Junior Thiam, Axel Pieshold, David Hurley, Aaron Bolger, Jimmy Keohane, Conor McCormack, Ed McCarthy, Dara McGuinness, Stephen Walsh, Cillian Tollett, James Morahan, Wasiri Williams, Kris Twardek, Lee Devitt, Matty Wolfe, Gianfranco Facchineri, Al-Amin Kazeem, Francely Lomboto, Arthur Parker, Hugo Pires Da Cunha, Nicholas Fleuriau Chateau.
Speaking ahead of the game against Shelbourne, Caulfield said he was looking forward to the contest.
"We're looking forward to the game, we know Shelbourne are title contenders, they invested well in the off season, they have Jarvis back and they have signed some forward players also. We are well aware of their strengths."
The Roscommon native also complimented his opposition manager, O'Brien, and the job he has done with the Dublin side.
"Joey has done a great job since taking over from Damien Duff. Their eyes are on the title. Every game against them has been a challenge for us, but our form against them in the last few years is very good, the games have been very close."
The United manager also believes that the extra week off, as given his side the chance to gel better.
"Two weeks of hard work have helped the new team gel quickly. We're looking forward to the match."
Tickets for the game can be purchased here - Tickets
The game will also be streamed on LOI TV, for those that can’t make it to Tolka Park.
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