Anthony O'Connor bolsters Caulfield's Galway for FAI Cup tilt

The former Ireland U21 international was most recently with Harrogate Town.

Galway United manager John Caulfield. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Cork native Anthony O’Connor has been added to the Galway United squad for Friday night’s FAI Cup tie against Bray Wanderers after the defender ended his 17-year career in England.

Ex-Ireland U21 cap O’Connor was most recently with Harrogate Town.

He emerged through the Irish underage ranks partnering John Egan in defence, the pair starring at the 2011 U19 Euros in Romania.

He moved on from his first professional Blackburn Rovers without making a first-team appearance, lining out for Burton Albion, Aberdeen, Bradford City and Morecambe – for whom he scored at Tottenham in a 2022 FA Cup tie.

His intention was always a homecoming and he’s penned a deal with the club managed by John Caulfield, the last manager to lead his native Cork to top-flight honours with the 2017 double.

“Anthony comes with a wealth of experience, over 500 games between the Championship, League One and Two and the SPFL” noted the Tribesman boss ahead of their fixture, back on the relaid Eamonn Deacy Park pitch (7.45pm).

“Over the last number of weeks, our supporters will have seen we've been hit with some unfortunate injuries.

“Axel Piesold out for most of the season, Killian Brouder has had a knock and injuries to other players as well.

“Kris Twardek and Matthew Wolfe have both also been out injured but are on their way back now.

“Anthony gives us great options to play centre-back or in midfield. With the number of defenders we had out injured, it’s important to bring in someone with experience and versatility.

“He possesses fantastic leadership qualities that we know will be an asset to us going forward as he gets settled with us” 

Elsewhere in Friday’s FA Cup third round action, the focus will be on the Belfield Bowl to see if James McClean is part of Derry City’s squad. The Ireland centurion has withstood a move by the club’s owners to terminate his contract over fitness concerns to train in the build-up.

Caretaker manager Mark Connolly, who was initially recruited in July as director of football, couldn’t confirm on Wednesday whether the 37-year-old would be part of the travelling party.

Resurgent Waterford complete Friday’s trio of fixtures. Blocking Graham Coughlan’s team from a place in next Tuesday’s quarter-final draw are First Division Athlone Town, now under the management of Seán O’Connor.

FAI Cup third round fixtures:

Friday (All 7.45pm):

UCD v Derry City, UCD Bowl; Galway United v Bray Wanderers, Eamonn Deacy Park; Waterford v Athlone Town, The RSC, Friday, 7.45pm.

Saturday:

College Corinthians v Drogheda United, Corinthians Park (4pm); Dundalk v Castlebar Celtic, Oriel Park (5pm), Sligo Rovers v Kerry, Showgrounds (7.45pm).

Sunday:

St Patrick’s Athletic v Shamrock Rovers, Richmond Park (2pm); Bohemians v Longford Town, Dalymount Park (7pm).