Founded in 1942 and located beside the Galway Shopping Centre on the Seán Mulvoy Road it’s clear to see why so many people from Bohermore and the surrounding areas decided to choose Galway Hibernians as the place for their children to nurture their appetite for soccer and grow not just their soccer skills, but their social ones as well.
However, the club wouldn’t be able to function without its volunteers. Volunteers like Kenneth Walsh selling lotto tickets every week, Rob Healy coaching the countless numbers of kids he has coached or Joe O’Reilly for that same matter or the countless others whom I could name, who have helped out through the years, but I’m afraid I would run out of ink!
It’s those sorts of volunteers who help a club run. Everyone from the ground’s person to those behind the time-tabling of the pitches or Astro turf and the parents who carpool players to and from training and matches. Without them, no club would be able to run on a day-to-day basis, let alone for 80 years!
The efforts of two of the club’s stalwarts were recognised by the city in June 2021. Paddy Connolly and Joe O’Reilly were both honoured by the then Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Mike Cubbard in what was a socially distanced event at the time due to COVID-19 restrictions. Between them, the two club legends have amassed over 100 years of service to the club that they both love. They were well-deserved awards.
The work of the underage coaches in the last decade has not gone unnoticed, with several underage players taking their careers to the next level. Players such as Declan Daly and Ronan Ariguzo have gone on to represent Galway United, with Ronan going on to captain his side for a season. Former Hibs underage player Alex Murphy also made waves at a national level, lining out for Treaty United in their maiden season.
It’s moments like those that really inspire coaches to continue to do the job that they love and to continue giving up their free time. It’s not just locals who play with Hibs, but a few famous faces have also graced the Bohermore pitches. Current Junior manager and current Galway United F.C ace Stephen Walsh made his name as a striker for Hibs. Previously, he was an out-and-out left-back.
So, if you are ever looking for something to do on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, why not make the short trip down the road to support a local soccer team?
