Galway & District League

Galway & District League

Country	Ireland
Region	Galway
Divisions	Premier Division Championship Division 1 Division 2
Level on pyramid	7–10
Domestic cup(s)	FAI Junior Cup Connacht Junior Cup Connacht Senior Cup
League cup(s)	Michael Byrne Cup Joe Ryan Championship Cup Jack Lillis Division 1 Cup Schweppes Division 2 Cup
Most championships	Mervue United (13)
Website	galwayfa.ie

The Galway & District League is an association football league organized by the Galway Football Association. ^[1] It features amateur and junior clubs from County Galway. As of 2025, the league has four divisions. ^[2] Its top division, the Premier Division, is a seventh level division in the Republic of Ireland football league system. Galway & District League teams also compete in the FAI Junior Cup. ^[3] It is currently sponsored by Western Hygiene Supplies, a company based in Tuam. ^[4]

History

From newspapers viewed at the National Library of Ireland, the first Galway League may have been played in 1925–26. It was won by Galway Celtic Albion F.C. with the runners up being Galway Celtic F.C. There is no formal relegation system with any other league within the Republic of Ireland football league system. However, both Mervue United and Salthill Devon played in the inaugural 2008 A Championship season. They were both subsequently promoted to the League of Ireland First Division. In 2014 both clubs withdrew to make way for a single Galway team – Galway F.C. – later known as Galway United. ^{[5] [6]} The senior teams of Mervue United and Salthill Devon subsequently rejoined the Galway & District League. ^[7]

The league operated a fifth division, called Division 4, until 2018. An Under–21 league has been in place since 2018 with the league expanding to two divisions, the U21 Premier & U21 Championship, in 2022. ^[3]

Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Division 1 was renamed the 'Championship'. This had a cascading effect, with Division 2 now known as 'Division 1' and Division 3 renamed to 'Division 2'. ^[3] Since at least 2005, there has been a reserve league competition which, as of April 2025, is still in operation. ^{[8] [9] [10]}

League Pyramid

The Competitions Committee forms a division based on the number of applications from clubs. The aim is to create divisions with an even number of teams, therefore the format can be subject to change each year. The below format has been agreed for the 2024/25 season.

County Level	League(s) / division(s)
1	GFA Premier League 10 clubs – 2 relegations
2	GFA Championship 12 clubs – 2 promotions, 4 relegations
3	GFA Division One 9 clubs – 2 promotions, 3 relegations
4	GFA Division Two 12 clubs – 2 promotions

Source: ^{[11] [12]}

Premier Division Clubs

2024–25 Season

Team	Home town/suburb	Ground
Athenry	Athenry	Moanbaun
Colga	Kilcolgan	Kilcornan Lodge
Galway Hibernians	Bohermore	Bohermore
Loughrea	Loughrea	Bushfield
Maree Oranmore	Oranmore & Maree	Caulfield Park 4G
Mervue United	Mervue	Fahy's Field
Moyne Villa	Headford	Presentation Grounds
Renmore	Renmore	West Park
Salthill Devon	Salthill	Drom Soccer Park, Drom East
University of Galway	Galway City	Dangan

Source: ^{[13] [14]}

Championship Division Clubs

2024–25 Season

Team	Home town/suburb	Ground
Colemanstown United	Colemanstown
Corofin United	Corofin	Western Hygiene Park
Corrib Celtic	Annaghdown	Gort Scully
Corrib Rangers	Westside	Manogue Park
Craughwell United	Craughwell	Coleman Park
Dynamo Blues	Tuam	College Field
Knocknacarra	Knocknacarra	Cappagh Park
MacDara	An Cheathrú Rua	Carraroe Astro
Maree Oranmore B	Oranmore & Maree	Caulfield Park 4G
Mervue United B	Mervue	Fahy's Field
St. Bernard's United	Abbeyknockmoy	O'Donohoe Park
West United	Claddagh	South Park

Source: ^[15]

Other Notable Clubs

Team	Home town/suburb	Ground
Cregmore Claregalway	Cregmore	Cregmore Sportsfield
Galway Bohemians	Rahoon	Millar's Lane
Tuam Celtic	Tuam	Celtic Park
West Coast United	Letterfrack	Diamond Hill

Source: ^{[16] [17]}

Past winners

Season	Winner	Runners-up
2024–25	Salthill Devon	Mervue United
2023–24	Salthill Devon	Athenry
2022–23	Salthill Devon	Athenry
2021–22	Salthill Devon	Athenry
2020–21	Athenry	Salthill Devon
2018–19	Mervue United	Athenry
2017–18	Athenry	Mervue United
2016–17	Athenry	Mervue United
2015–16	St Bernard's	Salthill Devon
2014–15	Athenry	Corrib Rangers
2013–14	Mervue United	Galway Hibernians
2012–13	Mervue United	Corrib Rangers
2011–12	Mervue United	Galway Hibernians
2010–11	Mervue United	Galway Hibernians
2009–10	Athenry	Corrib Rangers
2008–09	West United	Galway Hibernians
2007–08	Athenry	West United
2006–07	Athenry	Mervue United
2005–06	Galway Hibernians
2004–05	Mervue United
2003–04	Mervue United
2002–03	Mervue United
2001–02	Mervue United
1997–98	Renmore
1995–96	Renmore
1993–94	Galway Hibernians
1992–93	West United
1991–92	Galway Hibernians
1989–90	Mervue United
1988–89	Mervue United
1986–87	Mervue United
1984–85	Dynamo Blues
1981–82	Dynamo Blues
1976–77	Mervue United
1975–76	Galway Bohemians
1974–75	UCG
1973–74	Our Lady's Boys Club F.C.
1972–73	Our Lady's Boys Club F.C.
1971–72	West United
1969–70	Galway Bohemians
1966–67	UCG

Source: ^{[18] [19] [20]}

References

1. "Galway & District League | Connacht Football Association". connachtfc.com. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
2. Stafford, Tom (2 January 2025). "The Irish Football Pyramid – or lack of (part 3 - Connacht)". extratime.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
3. "Competitions Listing — Galway FA". Galway Football Association. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
4. www.westernhygiene.ie
5. "The Hoops will field a second team in the Airtricity First Division following the withdrawal of Mervue United and Salthill Devon". Goal.com. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
6. "Galway United » Club History". galwayunitedfc.ie. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
7. "Mervue United FC | History" . Retrieved 1 May 2025.
8. "Maree Oranmore FC Honours". Maree Oranmore FC. Retrieved 24 July 2025. Season 2005/06...Reserve League Winners (Oranmore FC).
9. "2006 Reserve League – Galway Football Association". Galway Football Association. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
10. "Western Hygiene Supplies Reserve League – Galway Football Association". Galway Football Association. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
11. "Galway FA Rulebook 2024-25.pdf". Galway Football Association (2024/25): :pg.18.
12. "Galway FA Division 2 – Soccer". finalwhistle.ie. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
13. "Galway District League - Brod Trill Premier Division". Galway Football Association. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
14. "Galway FA Premier Division – Soccer". www.finalwhistle.ie. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
15. "Galway District League - Art Friel Championship Division". Galway Football Association. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
16. "Galway District League - Michael Geary Division 1". Galway Football Association. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
17. "Galway District League - Patsy O'Connor Division 2". Galway Football Association. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
18. "Mervue United Club Role of Honour". www.mervueunited.com. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
19. "Athenry Football Club Roll of Honor". www.athenryfootballclub.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
20. "Renmore AFC Honours". www.renmoreafc.com. Retrieved 28 March 2015.