SIDELINE VIEW: GAA clubs need to start developing and trusting their own

The biggest obstacle to a club is recruiting coaches.  Without them, the project never gets off the ground.

Clubs need to create an environment where former players are encouraged to get involved in the coaching pathway with the long term view of eventually taking over the flagship team – the seniors.

But so many committees are reluctant to trust one of their own with the reins.

Of the 16 teams in the 2018 Derry senior championship, only half were managed by a club member.  It would have been six had Terence McWilliams and Larry Strain still been in charge of Slaughtneil and Claudy respectively.

Take a look at Crossmaglen.  They are the barometer.  Forty-four Armagh titles, 11 Ulsters and six All-Irelands.

I remember Oliver Short telling me about their policy of retired players being expected to take over the senior team.  When asked, you were scorned almost for not taking it on.

At the recent Ulster Club launch, Aaron Kernan outlined the Cross management team to me.  Donal Murtagh was back for another spell at the helm.  His backroom team is Miceal Moley, Francis Fitzpatrick and Kieran Donnelly.

“The four of them have Armagh, Ulster and All-Ireland (club) medals,” Kernan stated.  “Donal has been there previously (as manager).

“The other three guys that have come in with him, they have been over the minor teams and underage teams coming through – so they have a real good handle on the type of characters we have.”

In some cases, there are factions in clubs that won’t unite under one of their own.  Rather than swallowing local pride, they pass the responsibility to someone else.  And the underlying problems never get resolved.

Of the final four senior clubs in Ulster  in Omagh, only Scotstown boss Kieran Donnelly is an ‘outside’ manager.  Gaoth Dobhair, Crossmaglen and Coleraine all had local men making the hard calls.

If the culture changed, in all clubs, where coaches can see a progression to senior level of gaining experience and having an ownership of the club’s future, then maybe there would be more buy-in.

Pic: Mary K Burke