Galway senior football captain Seán Kelly.
By Cian O’Connell
In his new role as a Games Development Officer, Galway captain Seán Kelly’s Saturday evening was spent washing jerseys following a long day at the splendid Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence.
Then focus switched to Sunday’s mission at Pearse Stadium with Kelly helping to steer Padraic Joyce’s improving team to a fourth straight Allianz Football League Division Two win over Offaly.
Before the match in Salthill Kelly was busy. The previous day more than 200 Galway underage players trained and were tested in Bekan, and when Kelly got home gear had to be cleaned.
Kelly’s respect for those who take teams at every level runs deep. “With the GAA especially, the amount of volunteers we see behind the scenes, it is something I am only getting used to now being involved with the coaching,” he adds.
“Each Saturday now we are organising to get a couple of pitches each weekend, getting jerseys ready, getting footballs organised, bringing home jerseys the last day, washing them. It is funny enough.”
Ja Fallon is one of a number of former Galway players involved in the academy system in the county.
What has struck Kelly, though, is the positive approach of the coaches involved. Double All Ireland senior medalists Ja Fallon and Derek Savage, and several highly regarded mangers such as Kevin Johnson, Michael Donnellan, Ciaran Collins, and Kevin Reidy too. It means valuable lessons are being learned.
“You just see how organised they are, the structure they have in place,” Kelly says. “I enjoy it helping out, giving what I got back to these young lads coming through.
“The volunteer work behind the scenes - these young lads probably don't even know - but the amount of work that is put in is just great to see. The senior managers that could get any job they wanted, just helping out, it is great to see.”
Saturday was the first academy session of the year. “We had 200 plus there with former players as coaches such as Ja Fallon, Derek Savage - lads I looked up to when I was growing up too, winning in 2001,” Kelly remarks.
“It is great to see them involved again with the next generation, who are getting brilliant coaching. Also you have a lot of good managers around these days like Michael Donnellan, who coached me with Maigh Cuilinn, now he is giving his free time.
Seán Kelly starred for NUIG in the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup.
“You have Kevin Johnson, Kevin Reidy, John Tobin, Seán Óg de Paor is getting involved too. So you have a lot of good lads giving their free time, the kids are just going to benefit from it.”
Kelly knows about the value and importance of the academy structure in Galway. A decade or so ago Kelly was afforded an opportunity to attend a session for West Board players. “I have great respect for it, I started off as an U14 out in Ros A Mhíl with a lot of the west lads,” he recalls.
“You would have city clubs involved and there were also north Galway clubs up until the Ted Webb when we joined up with the city clubs.”
Skill always counted because developing talent remains the objective. “I got some great coaching, I was only a small lad back then,” Kelly states.
“I had a growth spurt around 17 or 18 so I was a corner forward back then before getting converted to a full back. They are looking for good footballers, they aren't just looking for big lads, they are looking for good footballers that play right and work hard.
Galway GAA Games Manager Dennis Carr.
“We saw that a lot the last day too. It isn't all to do with the biggest lad at this age. It is about trying to get good footballers, just teaching them the right skills and that hard work.
“In Bekan the last day - it is such a great facility - the lads that were on show they just put in a great effort which was good to see.”
These are encouraging times for Connacht football. NUIG’s victorious Sigerson Cup panel featured players from the west of Ireland. Galway natives featured prominently with Kelly acknowledging the pathway that is in place.
“I'd say we had 14 or 15 throughout the panel that all came through these academies,” Kelly replies. “There is a link in with NUIG and a couple of lads in GMIT too. We are getting that link in Galway with the academies. In fairness Galway are reaping the rewards of the underage.
“The team that won the Sigerson, competing in a lot of minor finals and U20 success. Even the young lads with the Galway seniors, nearly all of them have come through the academy.
Paul Flynn, Dublin, and Seán Kelly, Galway, during the 2018 All Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park.
“You just see the skills they develop, getting coached by such players. It is just great work by Dennis Carr, the Galway Games Manager, and Cathal Cregg, who is over Connacht. They have just put in great work and great systems in place to bring these lads through.”
The young players are being exposed to high quality systems and facilities, while modern technology is being used too. “That is being implemented by Croke Park, it is a great service that is provided,” Kelly explains.
“These young lads coming through they have it all on their phones. With the world we live in the amount of benefit you get from it we are seeing it with the Volt App, the Smartbase too, load management, controlling everything.
“The high standards that Croke Park and Connacht GAA are providing. It is keeping lads involved. You have so many other sports out there trying to do the same thing, it is great to see the lads being given these services. We are just hoping to bring as many through as possible.”
Ultimately it has been a hugely encouraging spell for Kelly, who has enjoyed some splendid triumphs with Galway, Maigh Cuilinn, and NUIG.
Paul Kelly following NUIG's Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup final win over UL.
Brothers Paul and Eoghan, also gifted basketballers, were influential figures on the Sigerson team. Paul won an All Ireland U20 with Galway and is making an impact at the highest level under Joyce for the maroon and white seniors.
Sport will always occupy a central role, but the key for Kelly is to embrace and relish the challenge. “I said before I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't enjoy it because it is a great commitment you put in, it is a big commitment, but that success you get, the friends you make, and the memories you makes means it is all worth it,” he says.
“I just look forward to playing as many games as possible. It is good to get back after Covid and a long break.
"It is the same thing for the young lads coming up U14s, U15s, they hadn't many games in a year or two. It is good to get them as many games as possible to let them enjoy their football.”
Kelly is currently illustrating what can be achieved.
