Manager (Gaelic games)

History

The term "manager" emerged in the 1970s owing to the influence of the BBC programme Match of the Day. A portion of the east coast of Ireland, including Dublin, was able to receive the channel and programme, which showed coverage of association football, where "manager" was the common term used for the coach or supervisor of the team. This later played a role in changing the management structure of Gaelic Athletic Association teams as the Dublin football revival of the 1970s evolved. Throughout the history of the GAA clubs and teams and were often influenced by selection panels. By the early 1970s, the GAA began to take note of the merits of having an individual soccer-style manager accompanied by assistants. In 1973 the Dublin County Board appointed Kevin Heffernan to lead their football team. It was the first time in the GAA's history that a manager with substantial powers was appointed. Other counties later followed suit by having a single manager supported by a smaller selection panel. While the GAA's current management and coaching model was influenced by other sports (like soccer), several differences with those sports do remain.

During the 1970s and 1980s, a number of priests held the role of manager - though this is rare as of the 21st century.

Appointment

The Gaelic Athletic Association publishes and maintains a set of guidelines for the appointment of managers. Managers of county teams can be appointed from within that county - though it is not uncommon for managers to be "brought in" from elsewhere.

As of 2016, GAA rules also allowed for a manager (in Irish bainisteoir) to be supported by a single assistant manager (in Irish maor foirne) during games. Under GAA rules, an assistant manager to a Gaelic football or hurling team could also be a member of the team's panel of selectors, but not be one of the team's panel of players. Changes to these rules, including the "effective eradication of the Maor Foirne role", were agreed following the 2021 GAA Congress.

Notable managers

In inter-county football, Mick O'Dwyer managed 4 different inter-county teams, including leading Kerry to 8 All-Ireland Championship titles. Jim Gavin is the second-most successful inter-county manager, with 6 All-Ireland titles for Dublin - including a record-breaking 5 in a row between 2015 and 2019.

In inter-county hurling, the manager with the most championship wins is Kilkenny's Brian Cody, with 15 Provincial Championship and 11 All-Ireland Championship titles. Tommy Maher, also of Kilkenny, has the second-most All-Ireland hurling championship wins, with 7 titles.

References

References

1. "English–Irish Dictionary (de Bhaldraithe): manager".
2. Neville, Steve. (18 April 2018). "Harry Redknapp has a new job in Ireland". [[Irish Examiner]].
3. Farrell, Sinead. (25 August 2018). "'Squaring up' to Jim Gavin as a player and stepping back to allow a daughter 'find her own self'".
4. "English–Irish Dictionary (de Bhaldraithe): selector".
5. "Martin Breheny: Dubs train sights on Heffo's heroes - Independent.ie". Independent.ie.
6. "The man who changed the face of Gaelic football - Independent.ie". Independent.ie.
7. (27 May 2017). "Stevie McDonnell superbly explains differences between GAA coaches and managers". Joe.ie.
8. (28 August 2022). "Ranking The Top 5 Priest GAA Managers Of All Time".
9. (23 October 2009). "The GAA's nine-step guide for appointing a manager". Independent News & Media.
10. (24 November 2012). "The import and export business". Independent News & Media.
11. (2016). "GAA Rule Book - Official Guide - Part 2". GAA.
12. (27 February 2021). "Hurling to trial sin bin as part of cynicism crackdown".
13. (27 February 2021). "Congress: End of the line for 'maor foirne' and Lucky 13 for teams".
14. Neville, Steve. (23 September 2019). "Jim Gavin to be awarded freedom of the city of Dublin". Irish Examiner.
15. (9 April 2018). "Brian Cody oversees the 20th national title of his reign". Irish Times.
16. (4 July 2016). "Brian Cody has now won more provincial senior titles than any other GAA manager". The42.ie.
17. (26 March 2015). "Godfather of Kilkenny hurling Fr Tommy Maher dies aged 92". Joe.ie.