The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, is known to be a big Galway United and League of Ireland supporter and he attends matches when his schedule allows.
However, it was revealed on Thursday’s Football Show that he was also a guest at the wedding of Galway United manager Alan Murphy.
With the League of Ireland First Division set to begin on Friday night, Irish Independent journalist Dan McDonnell asked Murphy if the President would be attending Galway United’s opening fixture.
“That’s the plan,” said Alan Murphy.
When questioned as to whether Michael D. Higgins gives the team talk or jokingly puts pressure on the Galway manager when he visits Eamonn Deacy Park, Murphy revealed that the President was a guest at his wedding.
“He’s a top man and I’d be very friendly with him for years and he was [sitting at the] top table at my wedding, so I don’t think he’s going to be putting pressure on me.
“He’s a gent and we’ve friends for a long time,” said the Galway United manager.
Elsewhere, there was also discussion about the big talking point entering the First Division season: the inclusion of Shamrock Rovers II.
Irish Independent journalist Dan McDonnell stated that he was in favour or the Shamrock Rovers II team being granted a licence to play as it would improve standards in the league.
“I guess in a weird way it’s raised awareness of the First Division in a manner the First Division clubs haven’t been able to do recently,” said McDonnell.
“I don't really have a problem with it. I understand some of the objections to it and some, but not all, are related to the process of it and that wasn’t handled well.
“But what would I prefer starting off tomorrow: a nine-team league, a 10 team league with the Limerick of last year, or the Shamrock Rovers II option which will [raise standards]?
“I think there’s far more damaging things in the First Division than this team [Shamrock Rovers II] that can’t get promoted,” McDonnell said.
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