Coaches

Widely recognized as one of the top, most innovative coaches in the modern game, Martin has been involved with numerous county teams in Ulster, including successful stints with Derry (NFL Title 2001), Fermanagh and then as manager of Cavan. In his early days, Marty coached Tyrone Minors to Ulster and All Ireland Titles (1997), before managing Errigal Ciaran to an Ulster Final and their first ever league & championship double in the same year. In 2007 he joined forces with Seamus McEneaney in Monaghan, pulling them out of the doldrums and within a whisker of beating the mighty Kerry in an All-Ireland Quarter Final.

Best known as a talented Dublin footballer, Conal was a big star in the game of hurling first, receiving a hurling All-Star nomination for his performances in the 2003 championship. In 2005, he decided to concentrate solely on the football, and it is no coincidence that his team have now won the last four Leinster titles on the trot. He was picked for the International Rules team in 2005, but had to opt out because of injury. The big ‘Dub’ possibly had his best year in 2006 when he nominated for an All-Star for his fine performances in the Half Forward Line, before going on to win the Railway Cup with Leinster.

A double All-Ireland winning manager with Galway in 1998 and 2001, not many come with more craft, guile and experience, than ‘Johnno’. In the Inter-County management game now, for over 25 years, he first managed Mayo to win an All-Ireland U-21 title in 1983, before going on to manage Leitrim and his native Mayo to Connaught Titles in the early 1990's. A true legend of the managerial game, he is now back in charge of the Mayo Senior Football Team, which he balances with his work as a TD for the Mayo constituency.

Two All-star awards, one All-Ireland title and seven Ulster Championships only begin to tell the tale. Oisin also holds the mantle of being the Top-Scorer of all time in the Ulster Championship tallying up an incredible 230 points. One of the true greats of the modern game, no-one can speak more confidently about “achieving succes at Club level” than he; having won four All-Ireland Club Titles and an unbelievable thirteen county championships in a row, with his native Crossmaglen. Somehow, between all of this, he found the time to write a book (“The Gambler”) and has appeared on “celebrity jigs and reels”.

The current manager of the Derry Senior Football Team has built up a very impressive CV in his short time in Management. Assisant to the Late Eamonn Colman at the start of the decade, winning a NFL and reaching an All-Ireland Semi-Final, he more recently managed teams in both Derry (Bellaghy) and Tyrone (Clonoe) to win County Senior championships. In an illustrious playing career, Damian captured All-Ireland Titles for Derry at both Minor and senior level along with numerous National leagues, Ulster Championships and five county titles with his native Bellaghy.

The Fermanagh man has the midas touch, particularly in his first year in management. Senior Championships in three different Ulster Counties, with Errigal Ciaran (Tyrone), Cavan Gaels (Cavan) and the Loup, who he remarkably took to win an Ulster Championship in 2003, after claiming their first Derry Senior Championship ever. O’Rourke is the current manager of Fermanagh, and in his first year, took them to their first Ulster Final in 25 years, narrowly losing out to Armagh after a replay.

The Ballina Stephenites player was the towering presence in the Mayo mid-field during the nineties. Hugely successful with both club and county, 1996 was a year of mixed emotions for the big Mayo man. Another Connaught title was superseded by an All-Ireland Final appearance which saw the dominant McHale and his Mayo team squander a six point lead to allow Meath to force a replay. After a goal mouth scramble five minutes into the replay, a brawl ensued which saw big McHale sent to the line. The All-Ireland medal didn’t come, but arguably the outstanding mid-fielder from that year, Liam was chosen on the All-Star team.

Few could disagree that Jimmy has been Donegal's finest footballer since they captured the All-Ireland in 1992. A major player on the university scene, he won a remarkable four Sigerson Cup titles, including three with Tralee IT and one with UUJ. As well as representing Donegal with distinction for over ten years, he won two Railway Cup titles with Ulster. One of his proudest moments came in 1995 when he guided his native Glenties to their first ever County championship title as player manager. He has managed Dongal U21's to an Ulster Championship in 2010, narrowly losing out to Dublin in the All Ireland Final. He has now taken up the reigns as Senior Football Team Manager with Donegal seniors.

An expert in the field of Sport Psychology, Jimmy has worked with many professional athletes, assisting in the conditioning of both body and mind.

The Tipperary native, has over 30 years coaching experience at county, club and schools levels. At inter-county level, he coached the Tipperary minors to three Munster Championships and was also involved with the Tipperary Under-21 team. Most recently, he enjoyed a successful spell as manager of the Laois senior hurlers and was manager of the Ireland U-21 Hurling/Shinty team. In 2006, he was confirmed for the role in Croke Park as the Nartional Director of Hurling.

Current joint manager of the Antrim Senior Hurling Team, and manager of the Ulster Railway Cup Hurling Team, Dominic has previously managed the Derry Hurling and camogie teams. He played for Antrim in the 1989 All Ireland Final senior hurling Final and received a replacement All-Star award in the same year. Throughout his career 'Woody' has won numerous Ulster Championships with Antrim, but perhaps his proudest moment came in 1983 when he won a Senior All Ireland Cub Title with his club, Loughgiel Shamrocks.


The name 'Sambo' is synonomus with hurling in Antrim and further afield. After a successful stint at minor level himself and 'Woody' took up the reigns of the Antrim Senior Hurling Team. Two Ulster titles in two years and victory in the Walsh Cup Final over the mighty Kilkenny last year, have demonstrated that good progress is being made. Sambo also played for Antrim in the All-Ireland Hurling Final of 1989, and went on to win himself an All-Star award in 1991. Six Ulster titles with Antrim, and an incredible eight County Titles and seven Ulster Championships with his native Ruairi Og's of Cushendall, make him one of the most decorated Ulster hurlers of all time.

Undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in Camogie for the last decade or so, Jane made history twice in 2008, by becoming the first Antrim player ever to collect an ALL-Star award, before going on to captain her club team Rossa to an All-Ireland Senior Title. Her contribution was immense, scoring an incredible 2-11 in the Semi-Final, before tallying up another 2-9 in the final.

In her career to date Jane has won four Ulster Championships and one All-Ireland Title with Rossa; seven Ulster titles, two intermediate and one Junior All-Ireland with Antrim; and has been awarded Ulster Camogie POTY on three occasions. Many believe that she is the best player in the country at the moment – and it is not hard to see why. .

Just retired as a Professional Rugby player after 12 years due to injury. Over his illustrious career Bernard has played with Connacht, Sale Sharks and Leinster and was an integral part of Magners League, European Challenge Cup and Heineken Cup winning teams. Fortunate enough to play for Ireland on nine occasions, Bernard was part of the Irish squad that won the Grand Slam in 2009. He has always been interested in what makes a successful team or what qualities winners have. Through his own study into the practices of the best athletes in their fields, such as Michael Jordan, Michael Schumacher, Ali, Padraig Harrington, Lance Armstrong and along with working with Paul O Connell, Brian O Driscoll. He has a very good knowledge of what is required to achieve at the highest level. Bernard has worked with various Rugby, Hurling and Gaelic football teams at both elite and non-elite level. In 2010 he was involved with the Wexford Senior Football Team.