It was David Hurley’s sweet left foot that convinced John Caulfield to recruit him to Galway United in 2020 but his right one has come in handy too.
The Tribesmen are back in the Premier Division following a seven-year absence and bounce into Friday’s visit of fellow promoted side Waterford on the back of beating Dundalk 2-0.
Hurley scored 24 goals from midfield as Galway swept to the First Division title last year and displayed his versatility by squaring with his right-foot to tee up their opener at Oriel Park last Friday.
This is the Corkman’s first top-flight experience at the age of 25, having spent four years at Cobh Ramblers before joining the westerners and he’s absorbing the showcase.
“This is the league you want to be in,” stated Hurley, who played alongside Chiedozie Ogbene during his formative years at Tramore Athletic.
“Last year in the First Division the aim was to beat every team and we won the league.
“Facing some of the Premier Division teams in the FAI Cup were more one-off occasions than this year where the intensity is high in every game.
“We want to maintain our place in the division, which will take hard work and picking up points wherever we can.
“Last week was a big win in Dundalk and we could have won by more if we’d taken our chances but Waterford will be a new challenge.
Another turnout of around the 4,100 who attended the narrow opening night loss to St Patrick’s Athletic are expected at Eamonn Deacy Park for the renewal of last year’s rivalry.
“Home advantage can make a huge difference,” said Caulfield about a factor which saw his team win all 18 matches on home soil last year. “We’ve three of them in March so it’s important for fans to come out in numbers.”
A mammoth 25 points
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