Galway United welcomes Jon Daly as new member in the team, as Ollie Horgan steps down from leadership position
Galway United Appoint Jon Daly as Assistant Manager
In a significant move for Galway United, Jon Daly has been appointed as the club's assistant manager, replacing Ollie Horgan who has temporarily stepped away from the team setup. Daly, a former striker for Dundee United and Rangers, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having led St Patrick's Athletic to the 2023 FAI Cup title.
Horgan, who managed Finn Harps from 2013 to 2022, guiding them to two promotions, joined Galway United ahead of the 2023 season. Under his guidance, Galway United were runaway winners of the First Division and had a strong first season back in the top flight, finishing a respectable fifth and contending for the title late in the campaign. As of August 2025, Galway United sits eighth in the Premier Division.
Horgan was recognized for steadying and elevating lower-budget teams against the odds, a hallmark of his Finn Harps tenure and his valuable contribution to Galway's promotion and competitive presence in the Premier Division. Daly, on the other hand, arrives after a less successful spell at Dundalk, where he was manager in 2024 and the club was relegated to the First Division.
John Caulfield, the manager of Galway United, thanked Horgan for his help and assistance. Caulfield and Horgan had been discussing Daly's appointment for weeks. Daly's appointment signifies fresh leadership with prior cup-winning experience, though he arrives after a less successful spell at Dundalk. Galway's current position indicates a need for stability and improvement, which Daly’s experience, particularly his 2023 cup success, might help provide.
| Aspect | Ollie Horgan | Jon Daly | |-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Previous roles | Finn Harps (2013-2022), Galway United assistant (2023-) | St Patrick's Athletic (FAI Cup 2023 winner), Dundalk (2024, relegated) | | Achievements | Two promotions, maintained top-tier status with Finn Harps| 2023 FAI Cup winner with St Pat's | | Galway United impact | Integral in 2023 First Division win and solid Premier Division return positioning | Newly appointed assistant aiming to build on club progress | | Team performance under | Consistent overachievement with tight budgets; Galway finished 5th in first Premier season back | Current position at 8th, seeking to improve results and avoid relegation |
Galway United's first season back in the top flight was highly creditable, with the team finishing just three points clear of Sligo Rovers in the relegation play-off spot. The announcement was made in a statement this afternoon. Galway United's fans will be hoping that Daly's appointment will help the team improve their standings and secure a more comfortable position in the Premier Division.
Galway United's new assistant manager, Jon Daly, brings a cup-winning pedigree from his tenure at St Patrick's Athletic in 2023, which could potentially boost the team's performance in European-leagues and the Premier League. Despite Daly's less successful spell at Dundalk, his experience and the 2023 FAI Cup title triumph may provide the necessary leadership and improvements that Galway United needs to secure a more comfortable position in the Premier Division.
