Marc Ó Goill is not your typical Galway United fan.
He, like many others, follows his beloved team up and down the country. But what sets him apart from most other fans is that, as a member of the club’s media team, he cheers the Tribesmen on from the press box.
The 20-year-old from Inis Mór began following the club in 2017 but, as a keen photographer, he was given the opportunity to help out last year.
“We had a previous media team, and I wasn’t necessarily asked to get involved, but I was shown a few bits and bobs … but I think my real break came when a board member wanted me to get a photoshoot with [Galway United manager] John Caulfield.
“I was very inexperienced, so I don’t think that shoot ever came out in the end! But I started getting involved through that [and] I was kind of one of those people who said yes to everything, so the opportunities came thick and fast … even though I had no idea what to do. I was shown the ropes by some really talented people within the club, so my skillset kind of came from there.”
As Galway United’s head of streaming, Marc’s main role this season is to manage the club’s live streams for the LOI TV platform. Yet, on any given matchday, he could also be taking photos, posting updates on the club’s social media, or even providing commentary from the gantry.
Marc is just one of many talented and skilled individuals on Galway United’s media team, but he feels that the door is open to fans of any ability, provided they are enthusiastic.
“Really, it’s all about having an interest, having a drive, and wanting to help your local club succeed. It’s all about having a passion for the club, because if you have [that] you’ll do anything,” he says.
“We’re all good and bad at stuff, it’s just about figuring out what you are good at and seeing where you do fit.”
Marc’s face goes through a full cycle of emotions as he recounts some of his best and worst memories from his time following Galway United. From the thrill of seeing the Tribesmen face Ireland’s finest teams while in the Premier Division, to the heartbreak of missing out on promotion by a whisker last season, Marc has already had enough experiences to write a novel.
But what particularly stands out for Marc are the interactions he has had with United’s players, as he explains by recalling a mid-summer match away at Cabinteely three seasons ago.
“Me and a friend could see that [former Galway United goalkeeper] Kevin Horgan didn’t have a hat on, and the sun was getting in his eyes. I had a hat on at the time, so I actually went over and tossed it to him, and he wore it for the game. It was this big white hat and I thought he was going to ruin it!
“Thankfully it was fine. We won the game, and there were a few more games where I threw him the hat again and we ended up having a running joke about it.”
Based on these types of experiences, Marc feels that, at the very least, fans should give the league a try and embrace its uniqueness.
“You have to go into it with an open mind and treat it as it is, because there are amazing places and people in this league.
“If you get involved in the club and you say yes to stuff … you’ll have some funny experiences because the League of Ireland is a really random league. It’s insane.”
With the business end of the season in full flow, and Galway United embroiled in a promotion race, perhaps there is no better time to give Irish football a chance.
