*Joe Collins in action for the Clare Oscar Traynor side. Photograph: Oliver Fitzpatrick
Ennis’ Joe Collins has signed for Galway United.
Having trained with Galway Utd for the past few months, the twenty five year old central midfielder joins from West United who last won the Galway District League Premier Division in 2008/09.
Joe was part of the Clare squad managed by Donie Garrihy that won back to back Oscar Traynor titles in 2016 and 2017. At the time, he played for Ennis Town but since then switched to the Galway league.
One of Collins’ past teammates at West Utd was his new manager, Alan Murphy. The Ballinrobe native is confident Joe will make a positive difference to their squad ahead of the SSE Airtricity’s League First Division’s return. “Joe is another very good ball-playing central midfielder. He’s very comfortable on the ball and has a great engine. Joe has really been developing strongly as a player over the last number of years with the Clare Oscar Traynor team and then with West United, where he’s been one of the standout players in the Galway District League.
“From playing alongside Joe, I know he’s got the right attitude and is eager to better himself. He’s a leader on the pitch, has a willingness to receive the ball in tight areas and be positive with it. The way that Joe plays the game is very much in line with the style that we want to play in the coming season, with a real focus on passing the ball.”
