Having finished the 2021 season on such a high, Galway WFC are delighted to announce the expansion of its coaching and management structure ahead of the 2022 season. Stephen Lally’s successful stint as first team manager sees him promoted to the role of Player and Coach Development Director.
Alan Murphy will join the coaching staff as a Senior Team Manager where he will be joined by Phil Trill as Senior Team Coach.
Alanna Moran will take over as Academy Manager.
Commenting on the announcement the club stated that “this investment comes about as a result of a very successful second half of the 2021 season where Stephen Lally showed us what could be achieved by this group of young players. The club hopes that this bolstering of structures will allow Galway Women’s drive forward and challenge for honors in the 2022 season.”
New Structure 2022
Player and Coach Development Director: Stephen Lally
Senior Team Manager: Alan Murphy
Senior Team Coach: Phil Trill
Senior Goalkeeping Coach/Head of Goalkeeping Development: Adrian Cronin
Academy Manager: Alana Moran
Biographies
Stephen Lally
Stephen Lally will take over the new role of Player and Coach Development Director. The club recognised the huge progress in the short space of time he held the role of Senior Team Manager and on this basis had no hesitation in offering Stephen this new and important role going forward.
Stephen played for Galway United for 14 consecutive seasons and also featured for Athlone Town. As a Manager Stephen led the Galway and District league ladies to the Women’s FAI Cup in 2007. In 2008 he led the team to Europe in UEFA’s top tier competition. Prior to joining Galway Women’s FC Stephen was involved in the Academy system of Mervue United and is also a former manager of NUI Galway.
Alan Murphy
We are delighted to announce that Alan Murphy will take up the role of Senior Team Manager. The former Galway United manager has made a significant contribution to sport in the West of Ireland. The Ballinrobe native made his debut in the League of Ireland as teenager for Galway United.
During a lengthy career, Murphy became Galway United’s record league goal scorer and also featured for Derry City and Shamrock Rovers. As a manager, Murphy enjoyed a productive spell in charge of Galway United’s Under 17s before his role with the Galway United Senior team.
Last week Alan guided the Connacht Schools Under 18s to Interprovincial Series glory at the AUL Complex.
Phil Trill
Phil moves from his position as Youth Development Manager to Senior Team Coach. He has been heavily involved in developing players who have graduated to play in the Women’s National League. Titles have been accumulated in the Under 17 and Under 19 ranks with Phil a key figure in Galway Women’s FC’s fortunes.
This season Phil’s Galway Women’s FC Under 19s claimed a National League and Cup double.
Adrian Cronin
Adrian came to Galway Women’s FC with a wealth of expertise and knowledge, with over 20 years of goalkeeping experience. He has coached goalkeepers at all levels of the game, from grassroots to international level, with a track record of success.
Adrian will oversee the development of goalkeepers at the Galway Women’s FC Academy as well as promoting goalkeeping development in the wider community in addition to his role as Senior Goalkeeping Coach.
Alana Moran
Alana takes on the role of Academy Manager following last season’s role as Senior Team Coach and Analyst with Galway Women’s FC. She is also a former Galway Women’s FC player. Alana has worked with the Galway and District League with a number of Gaynor Cup squads and also coaches for the FAI in the Emerging Talent Programme.
She carries out the Performance Analyst role with the Republic of Ireland Under 17 Women’s National Team.
