Former Galway Rovers player/manager and Glasgow Celtic legend Tommy Callaghan is returning to Galway next week – for the very first time since his controversial sacking 44 years ago.

The Galway United Friends Co Op has announced that Callaghan will be a special guest at the Galway United versus Athlone Town game on Friday week, September 29. He will be introduced to the crowd at half time where he will be presented with Galway Irish Crystal.

Tommy was player/manager in 1978/79 but was fired in very controversial circumstances which drew the attention of the national media. He packed up and left with his young family and returned to his native Scotland – and he hasn’t been to Galway since that fateful day.

But now he’s back and there will be a Q&A with Tommy and other players from that era, including Gerry Daly and Tommy Lally. Current Galway United manager John Caulfield will also attend.

This will take place at the Galway Rovers clubhouse, Claddagh Hall on Thursday week, September 28, at 8pm. The compère for the night is Connacht Tribune editor Dave O’Connell.

Admission is free but tickets are required. Members of the Co-Op will have first option to get tickets before members of the general public can get them.

Tommy Callaghan managed Galway Rovers for 34 games between July 1978 and April 1979. During his reign, the club won six games, drew five and lost 25. He played on 29 of those games, scoring four times.

Tommy played for Celtic FC 172 times and still works for the club today. He will bring a Celtic FC shirt, signed by the current squad, which will be raffled on the night.

There will also be a lunch on Friday, September 29, for former players, committee members and friends. Anyone who knew Tommy is welcome to attend.

Gerry Daly, who played for the club 209 times, is an ambassador for Galway United and he is organising the lunch. Phone Gerry at (085) 260 7891.

This is the first in a series of events which is being organised by the Galway United Friends Co Op. For further information, email info@gufc-coop.com or phone Paul O’Brien 087 2254747

Ticket information also online at galwayunitedfc.ie