Why Do I Bother Coaching Football Teams?

It’s a question I often get asked: Why Do I Bother Coaching Football Teams? Answering it can often come down to a “well who else would do it?” but that’s not always the reason.

I write this after reading this “Letter from a Volunteer Coach” posted on the St John Bosco FC Facebook page.

It got me thinking. Why?

Why bother sending out hundreds of texts about training every week? Arriving early to get the gear ready? Arriving early to get the training session set up? Texts about matches every weekend? Making sure the gear is ready for the match at the weekend? Packing away the gear afterwards? Finishing work early to get to matches or training? Spending your own money on gear to try take the burden off your voluntarily run club? (I don’t list these as a ‘show-off”, more an example of a normal week.)

It made me think of just last Saturday. Sweeping out dressing rooms…cutting pitches…marking pitches…coaching at a match. Six hours spent in the soccer club. Do I do it to get a thank you at the end of it?

Sunday morning arrives and back to the soccer club 90 minutes before kick off – and 45 minutes before the players arrive – to make sure the dressing rooms are clean for the teams, making sure the kit is ready, preparing a warm up before everybody arrives and making sure the pitch and goals are ready for the match. Do I do it to get a thank you at the end of it?

Match one ends at 1pm and it’s a 20-minute drive to coach another team at another match at 2pm. The same thing…jerseys, cones, footballs, bibs, warm-up, bottles, first aid, 90 minutes of a match and the day is over…seven hours after arriving for the first match of the day. Do I do it to get a thank you at the end of it?

Whether it’s attending committee meetings for the voluntary committee that you and others sit on? Who give hours and hours to keep a football club going… Do we want thanks? Do we want a handshake at the end of the season? A small token gift to show appreciation?

I’ve been coaching football for as long as I can remember. I still remember, and wont ever forget, the first match I ever helped coach at. It wont be forgotten nor will the coach, Peter, who got me interested in the first place. A true football man who has taught me so much.

Fast-forward ten years and do I do it for the thanks? Or the appreciation? Or even the glory of managing a winning team?

Of course everybody wants a thank you. A handshake. Or a simple ‘fair play’.

You might not always hear a thank you toward a coach, but I do. A parent sending a text after a match. Or a player thanking you after a game. A former player keeping in touch and never forgetting where they’ve been or where they started. Or another coach complimenting your team. It’s there. We don’t always hear it with so much going on…as is the busy nature of football clubs.

But that’s not why I do it. Every coach and club volunteer has their reasons…I do it because I love football. I love the club I coach at. Working with the people I coach with. Seeing your teams enjoying their training and matches. Doing my bit to keep the place ticking over. I love that a community run club provides so many people with the opportunity to play football. What’s not to like about that?

But there’s no harm in sending your coach, or your kids’ coach a “thank you” every now and again. It can go a long way to that coach who’s maybe wondering that same question I’m always asked…

STATS: League of Ireland First Division goalscoring

STATS: League of Ireland First Division goalscoring

Salthill Devon and Waterford United have 9 goals each this season. Longford Town have scored 9 goals in just the last 15 minutes of their matches.

First Division goals stats weirdly close when divided by each 45 minute period. 61 first half goals with 60 second half goals so far this season.

The fifteen minutes after half time remains the lowest for goals in First Division with just under 10% (12 goals) so far.

The last fifteen 15 has been most fruitful in First Division with 26% of goals. 32 scored from 75 minutes onward.

26% of last 15 minute goals compares to just under 16% of goals (19) coming in the first fifteen minutes in First Division.

Waterford United haven’t scored a goal between the 21st minute and the 78th minute.

Longford Town and Cobh Ramblers have between them scored 1/3 of the total First Division goals so far.

Longford Town have scored majority of goals (70%) in 2nd half so far. Cobh Ramblers have scored majority (68%) in 1st half.

Wexford Youths have scored two-thirds of their goals in the second half of games this season so far.

(As as 12noon Saturday 18th May 2013)

League of Ireland First Division stats attack

Stats after Series One of the Airtricity League First Division:

LOI Division 1 averaging 2.9 goals per match after 1st serie of matches. Mervue United and Cobh Ramblers are top scorers with 16 goals.
First Division goals split almost evenly between 1st and 2nd half of games: 42 first half goals and 40 second half goals.
First Division goals stats sees 23% of goals scored in the final 15 minutes of matches so far.

Longford Town have scored 2/3 of their goals in the second half of games so far.

Mervue United have scored seven goals in the 15 minutes either side of half time.

Finn Harps have scored 44.4% of their goals in the opening 15 minutes of each half.

Cobh Ramblers have scored 11 of their 16 goals in the opening 45 minutes of their games.

Athlone Town have scored 75% of their goals in the first half.

Waterford United have yet to score from the 31st minute to the 78th minute in any game this season.

Wexford Youths have scored 80% of their goals in the second half of their games so far. 

Salthill Devon are one of only three teams to have not scored in the 15 minutes after half time.

Southeast derby from the Ferrycarrig touchline

Being close to the action is an important part of being a football fan, and Ferrycarrig Park is one League of Ireland ground that allows you to get close to the action.

It’s a different view compared to the usual and gives you a different take on the game, the players and the managers.

It becomes fascinating. Every incident bringing an instant reaction from the managers, always differing from each other, but both with the same force needed to get your team on the right track.

For all the work done to build up grounds to make better stadia for fans to come to games, being close to the action is a nice change. You can hear every word that’s shouted from the touchline, the instructions from the manager and the interaction between officials.

Being close to the action in a derby game makes for a better spectacle and shows the game from a different perspective; this wasn’t just a derby, southeast bragging rights were on offer. From the off Waterford United are up for the game, and with little instruction from the bench needed, the away side control the opening exchanges and Paul Quilty and Vinny Sullivan make the most of a CJ Browne mistake to allow Sullivan in for a deserved opener. The sizeable away crowd have a dream start. Paul O’Brien is smiling.

Youths boss Shane Keegan calls for a regroup and his team do just that as Shaun Corcoran fires past Blues’ keeper Craig Hyland for the leveller just ten minutes later. The Youths bench erupt as the ball smashes the back of the net.

Keegan’s constant encouraging shouts make a change to the stereotypical shouts to try to do better. A name shouted with encouraging instruction. “Well done Crokey, brilliant, keep that going” is the message, and his players follow suit.

Fourth official Andrew Mullally begins to question the photographers. “Any of you get a picture of that tackle?” he asks. “No, why’s that?” “I thought it was a red card myself,” Mullally replies, looking displeased with the solitary yellow card handed to Vinny Sullivan from debuting referee Tommy Mazur.

The second half is all Youths and their togetherness is clear to see. Always talking to each other, getting each other to know what the next play was. The away side are quiet, apart from the odd shout from boss Paul O’Brien. The players look unsure.

Shane Nolan is the main influence. The midfielder is taking nothing less than a win and his endeavours keep his side on the attack and always in the ear of referee Mazur and fourth official Mullally, smartly looking for any advantage on offer for his side.

“You’ve a nice little arse, don’t ya?” is the joke among the Youths subs as they go to warm up, as Peter White fires an encouraging, settling shout toward young full back Jamie Cross after a nervy start.

As referee Mazur and his officials struggle to keep control of a feisty game, the inevitable red card arrives. Seamus Long’s attempt to block Aidan Keenan is ignored by referee Mazur but for the intervention of assistant Adam Tszampel who flags for a penalty. Mazur blows his whistle, pauses, before pointing to the penalty spot. The Youths bench jumps to their feet; a resigned Paul O’Brien turns to his dugout but stays silent. No complaint.

Seamus Long is red carded in a period that seems to take an eternity before Dean Broaders can dispatch his spot kick. Shane Keegan can’t watch. He turns his back to the pitch. He must rely on the reactions of the crowd. His subs and backroom team are celebrating on the pitch before the manager turns to be sure.

A deserved lead for an industrious Youths’ performance. “Five minutes added time, Andrew,” Referee Mazur shouts to the touchline, “four minutes, Tommy, is it?”. “Five minutes” is the reply, but Mullally ignores and decides on four minutes stoppage time.

The away fans’ are dejected and their anger is evident toward referee Mazur after a nervy start as the leading official. The Youths fans are thrilled. A performance with heart, determination and three points.

Dejected Waterford United players depart the field; a single clap toward the fans is all that’s mustered up after a disjointed performance. The Youths are happy, another early season derby win.

College Assignment – Trapattoni puts faith in Sammon – Pre-match press conference

Giovanni Trapattoni believes that Conor Sammon can spearhead his sides attach as he hands the striker his international debut tonight against Poland.

Trapattoni believes that the former League of Ireland striker has the attributes to be successful at international level.

“We have seen him so many times, he’s big and quick, and big men are not usually as agile or as sensible. He can defend the ball well and also attack very quickly.”

Trapattoni was naming his squad ahead of friendly match with Poland at the Aviva stadium on Wednesday. The match will act as preparation for the beginning of the World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria next month.

“I am optimistic and I have faith. This will show us what we can do with a new team,” Trapattoni said. “They can show us they’re enthusiastic, that they are technical players. This is their opportunity, not just for the friendly but to stay in the squad.”

Fresh from a disappointing Europe an Championship last summer, pressure is on Trapattoni to get his side playing well and getting results. Trapattoni believes that despite the relatively new squad, creativity isn’t a problem.

“We are a team, we have no Messi, we have no Ronaldo but we have character, we look for the youth and for energy. Our team is always positive and disciplined.”

John O’Shea will captain the team in Robbie Keane’s absence, and believes that a result of the friendly match is important. “Without a doubt we want to get a positive result. Poland are not going to give us anything easy. A positive performance should lead us to a positive result.”

Interview: Irish international Méabh De Búrca has experience on her side

At the age of just 24, Méabh De Búrca has had a very busy footballing life. Three countries and an international career have seen De Búrca gain valuable experience across the football world.

De Búrca made her senior international debut at the age of just 18; a day that she holds as one of her biggest achievements to date.

First Division in review: Limerick end a long wait

By Brendan White and Andrew Cunneen.
[As published: Extratime.ie on 13 November 2012]

The season Limerick dreamed about for almost two decades finally arrived in 2012 as the Shannonsiders topped the First Division and in turn, secured promotion to the top flight. Despite losing to second-placed Waterford United on all four meetings, Pat Scully’s team  finished four points ahead of their Munster rivals.

“It was heroic from the lads” – Breen

Experience in football is key to any success. In veteran League of Ireland defender David Breen, Waterford United have experience in abundance.

The video interview

Paul O’Flynn from RTE visited DCU this week to speak about being a video journalist. Video interviews are not something I ever thought about. Written work is all I ever wanted to do. There is something about video that makes it a specialist area.

Paul spoke about how he films and edits all his own work, a fascinating job. Paul did a journalism degree in DCU in 1999 and has been working in RTE for the past eight years. He showed us some examples of his work and it was great to get a taste of what can be done working as a one-man team.

Video work can be interesting and can create some good opportunities. I’ve had the opportunity to interview some star footballers over the last few years, thanks to Extratime.ie that has really helped me become more comfortable with video work. Here is one of my first video interviews from the Aviva Stadium after Norway beat the Republic of Ireland

Alan Cawley – Footballer to pundit

Alan Cawley is something of a League of Ireland legend. Every club he has gone to he has become something of a fans’ favourite. A hard working midfield player who has seen a career go from Leeds United, to Sheffield United and even to Waterford United.

His combative box-to-box play makes him the player that fans like to see in their team. Add in years of experience and a dead-ball expertise that would outdo most in the league.

Alan’s playing career finished up in 2011 after a stint in the Irish Premiership with Portadown.

Alan’s move from playing to being a pundit has seen him with a regular commentary spot on radio and now a weekly blog for RTE.ie. Here’s my interview with Alan when he was with Dundalk after coming from behind to win a match against Waterford United in 2010 in the FAI Cup.