Fáilte Emily Kavanaugh!

Galway United are delighted to share the signing of American striker Emily Kavanaugh. 23-year-old Emily hails from Virginia and played the last five years with the Temple Owls in the United States. Kavanaugh can be seen as a very well rounded finisher with a good physical presence. Emily herself described her playing style to us at her unveling in Eamonn Deacy Park “As a striker, I tend to be an attack minded player, I really like to take players on one versus one. I love to cross the ball and also to finish them too, so I want to contribute any way that I can to the attack”

Emily started playing football in High School where she was the team captain, sh then progressed to senior level and competed for FC Virgina, who were Four-time State Cup Champions. Kavanaugh then played two seasons at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Earning Second Team All-Horizon League honours in 2018 after leading the team in both goals (5) and assists (3) Emily was the first freshman from the University to lead team in both categories simultaneously.

In 2020/21 Kavanaugh played in 10 games for the Cherry and Whites and it was then in 2021 when she really took things up a level. Emily saw action in all 16 games, starting in 15. Led the team with seven goals and one assist. Including two back to back braces against Drexel and Cincinnati. She was named Offensive Player of the Week after netting two goals in a 3-2 win over Cincinnati, only the second player to ever do so at the time. Kavanaugh’s stand out performances earned her a spot in the First Team All-Conference by the AAC, the second Temple women’s soccer player to earn this honour since joining the AAC in 2013.

It’s an exciting time for our season women’s side, and Emily noted this as she spoke about signing for the club. “Yeah I’m very excited to get started, they (Galway United) did very well last year aswell. Galway have a great fan base too, so I am delighted to be a part of it.” Emily will certainly add a bit of firepower to United’s frontline as they look to make an impression again this season following silverware in their opening season at this level.

Emily Kavanaugh is available to sponsor now, if you are interested please email us at marketing@galwayunitedfc.ie