GALWAY UNITED have added Bohemians centre half Cian Byrne on loan until July.
The 22-year-old was made available by the Gypsies following the return to fitness of Rob Cornwall, with United winning the race for his signature.
Assistant manager Ollie Organ said: “He was on our radar, and most club’s radar. He had a very good season last year and he jumped at the chance to take him.
“It really only transpired in the last ten days. We’ve a number of injuries in that area of the pitch and we’ve liked him for a long time.
“When we were in the First Division, he was with Longford Town and he was outstanding in the games he played against us.”
Byrne came through the Bohs academy and spent the first half of the 2023 season on loan at Longford before returning to Bohs, where he played in the FAI Cup final.
Last season, he made 26 appearances for the Gypsies though he was not part of the matchday squad for the season opener against Shamrock Rovers.
Meanwhile, Horgan believes that Galway United are in a good place this season – but admitted he has no idea where they will finish in what he expects to be a competitive league.
He added: “I can’t speak for every club but I’d say the majority of clubs wouldn’t be able to answer you if you asked them where they are going to finish.
“Last year, a serious club was going to be relegated and it happened to be Dundalk. You look this year, a big club is going to be relegated.
“We’ve brought in players that we think can improve us, to try and improve our finish last year in the top half.
“We’re going to have ups and downs with it with the quality that is in this division, the difficult teams are going to be playing away from home.
“But there is certainly a good feel factor, a ‘Let’s go at this’. If it’s good enough, it’s enough. If it’s not, it’s not.
“There is no real fear factor, we’ll have a cut off it.”
