Well, this is new.
If you thought it was strange that James Horan was looking to get into hurling coaching, prepare yourself because the GAA has just recruited the services of a league-winning soccer manager and he’s starting right at the bottom.
Pat Fenlon is set to become a coach with a Junior B side in Meath.
The former Hibernian manager is switching sports and he’s taking a bit of a step down from two Scottish Cup finals so he can come in as a fitness coach for Kilbride GFC.
The club are under new management in David Harford and he clearly means business with the appointment of a five-time League of Ireland winning manager to help with their fitness.
Pat Fenlon comes boasting an impressive CV in a different sport but, at 47, he could yet learn to forge out a GAA career for himself.
Fenlon’s achievements
At Shelbourne:
3 x League of Ireland titles.At Bohemians:
2 x League of Ireland titles.
1 x FAI Cup.
1 x League Cup.
1 x Setanta Sports Cup.
He went on to manage Hibernian in the SPL and took them to the Scottish Cup final twice, but to no avail.
It’s fair to say that he’d know how to get a team into shape – no less a Junior B outfit.
In July, Fenlon and Shamrock Rovers parted ways and now he’s got an entirely new role.
“Kilbride are delighted to announce their new first team management for 2017,” a club statement read.
“Former Meath junior Leinster winner David Harford who managed the Kilbride minor team to league success in 2016 and Meath development squads in the past takes over the reins as manager,” a statement from the club read.
“A highly motivated level two coach, David has been to the fore front of Kilbrides recent surge in their juvenile success. His management team will also consist of former Republic of Ireland u23s manager, Hibernian and most recently Shamrock Rovers boss, Pat Fenlon”
Watch this space.
Diarmuid Connolly makes his long overdue GAA Hour debut and talks to Colm Parkinson about everything from the black card to his rivalry with Lee Keegan and how he honed the ability to kick accurately with either foot.
