Maurice Nugent and Gary Kinneen have become the latest players to commit to Galway United
Comfortable playing at centre-back, right-back or holding midfield, Nugent recently represented the Irish Colleges and Universities Team at the World Student Games held in Taiwan.
He has been a mainstay in the club’s under-19 team, where he featured for the last three seasons and was named captain in 2016. Nugent was brought into the first team squad last season and featured in the EA Sports Cup Quarter Final victory in Sligo, playing the entire 120 minutes.
Galway United manager Shane Keegan spoke to www.galwayunitedfc.ie about his hopes for Maurice Nugent in 2018.
“From what I was able to see of him for the under-19s, I think you could argue that he was their most consistent performer last season. He’s very clued-in and down-to-earth, and knows what he wants from his studies and his football.
“He would fall into the bracket of a number of players who will likely benefit from Galway United playing in the First Division, where he might have found it difficult to break through in the Premier Division, Maurice is certainly capable of playing 15 to 20 games next season.
“He gives us options across the back line, as well as in holding midfield and has the physical stature to be able to handle it as well.” Keegan added.
Full-back Kinneen has spent the last three seasons with the club, initially joining the under-19 ranks at Eamonn Deacy Park in 2015 before graduating to the first team last season.
The 20-year-old featured on 4 occasions for Shane Keegan's side in 2017.
Kinneen, along with teammates Conor Barry and Maurice Nugent, was part of the Irish Colleges and Universities side that took part in the World Student Games held in Taiwan.
Shane Keegan believes Kinneen can continue his progression at the club in 2018.
Keegan told www.galwayunitedfc.ie: "Gary has got tremendous attributes along with a really good attitude and I think he will back himself to break into the side next year.
"He was chomping at the bit to get in last season. His best position is left-back and obviously Marc Ludden was one of our outstanding players so opportunities were limited.
"What he showed in the latter stages of last season is that he is also very comfortable playing on the left wing and the last time I saw him play for NUIG, his college team, that was where he featured also. He will have an eye on that position too.
"It was a tough challenge for him last season, to break into the side with Marc Ludden in such good form, but Gary gives us a lot of options and balance on the left. We hope Gary can continue to progress at the club next season."
