Local star plays his part in Galway United success story

Former Athlone player Oisin O’Reilly was a member of the Galway United squad who were presented with the League of Ireland SSE Airtricity First Division trophy in Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway last Friday night.

Galway United are promoted to the Premier Division as runaway champions winning the First Division by a mammoth 25 points and they maintained an unbeaten home record on Friday night with a 2-0 win over Wexford FC.

Oisin O’Reilly from Glanduff, Kiltoom, Athlone joined Galway in 2022. He previously played at underage level with both Athlone Town and Sligo Rovers but actually joined the Tribesmen from Ballinahown, who play in the Combined Counties Football League.

O’Reilly made 19 first team appearances for Galway this season mostly as a left-back in a back four or otherwise as a left wing-back.

He also played three times in Galway’s FAI Cup run which only ended in the semi-finals against Premier Division outfit Bohemians.

Oisin is a former student of Marist College, Athlone and is the son of Mattie and Katherine O’Reilly of Glanduff, Kiltoom. Mattie was a stalwart with Roscommon in the 1990s and famously played in the 1991 All-Ireland semi-final against Meath just two days after his wedding!

Oisin’s brother Ciaran is a League of Ireland referee and was on the line for Athlone’s game with Longford last Friday night. Oisin’s sister, Caoimhe, is a former underage Ireland goalkeeper and is now with Sligo Rovers having returned from the UK in the summer.

The South Roscommon link to Galway does not end with Oisin as the Tribesmen are managed by Lecarrow native John Caulfield, who has steered Galway back to the top flight in impressive style.

Caulfield is also a former Athlone Town player and won a League of Ireland ‘B’ Championship with Athlone in the 1983/84 season before a stellar playing and management career with Cork City.