THE youth section of Glasgow Gaels Gaelic Football Club (above) is looking to the future with great excitement.
Although the club has its official home at the outstanding Clydebank Community Sports Hub, for a few years now, County Clare native, Paul Maher, has been keeping the Gaels Youth Section flame alive on the south side of Glasgow as well. Sometimes aided, sometimes alone.
Logistics and the pressures of time that everyone with a young family will be familiar with, mean that for practicality’s sake, he finally reckoned that forming a second base in Giffnock was the only logical way to go.
Paul also has 35 years of experience playing as a young lad with home club Corofin and then playing and coaching in Scotland and England. In London he played for St Brendan’s, coached Holloway Gaels Ladies, before helping to found Éire Óg in the English capital.
Playing for Glasgow Gaels, he was part of the team that won the club’s much coveted first ever Scottish Championship, he co-managed the senior men to another championship, and, perhaps most impressively, co-managed Glasgow Gaels Ladies to an historic British Championship. So he knows a thing or two about Gaelic football, then.
A father of two, it was only natural that he wanted to get his son and daughter playing the game he’s given so much time to.
A Gaels return
While he’s never been totally on his own, but now he’s getting a real injection of support with the arrival of new coaches, such as father of three young boys, Gareth Doonan, who is returning to the Gaels family in 2025.
A native of Irvinestown in County Fermanagh, Gareth has over 25 years of experience coaching Gaelic football. As a player, he graced the field playing full forward with Glasgow Gaels in their first championship win in 2002 before becoming player/manager and then out and out manager, helping guide the club to another Scottish Championship in 2006.
He’s been coaching youth of all ages for more than 12 years now and his return to the Gaels is a real boost for the red and white jersey.
“It’s great to back at Glasgow Gaels and giving back to the club where I spent some great years playing and managing,” Gareth said. “The GAA is an organisation like no other. Once you become involved in it, build friendships and play in teams it is the most exciting, action packed sport in the World. It will be with you forever.”
He added: “These kids probably don’t know how much being a part of the GAA community will benefit them on the world stage yet. People in the GAA look out for each other. Going to university, moving cities or travelling the globe, there are clubs everywhere with open arms welcoming you in to play, facilitate games or just help out. No matter where you roam you will be looked after—a friendly chat, help with getting a job or accomodation, everyone will make sure you are fine.
Coaches, coaches everywhere
Martin McGinley from Fanad, County Donegal is not new to the Gaels. He’s been coaching youth for a number of years now, mainly in Clydebank. With his home in Dumbarton, the journey to Giffnock for training—one that he makes with his son Padraig—is testimony to his dedication to the game.
“I’m glad to see the new guys come on board,” Martin said. “They’re bringing new perspectives and ways of doing things, and the kids are really responding to it.”
Two other experienced youth coaches arrive in the form of Danny Doherty from Downings, County Donegal and Conor Murphy, from Glenullin, County Derry. With both taking sabatticals from coaching last year, the two guys are looking forward to the new challenge.
“Our task now is to tap the huge talent around us and to bring people from a non-GAA background into the game,” Conor said. “Anyone who watches a game of Gaelic close up for the first time, tends to be fascinated by it, and kids who’ve never even seen the game, are loving what they’ve learned so far.
“We also have a few students who are getting involved too. One of them came up through the ranks of the Gaels Youth setup, and now plays junior men’s for the Gaels. He’ll be a role model for the older boys looking for a pathway into senior football.
“Some of us haven’t coached in over a year, and we’re all really excited to see where we can take the Glasgow Gaels youth, and indeed, where they can take us.
“My own son is telling me how he’s coaching a dozen kids how to punt pass and solo in the schoolyard. Not bad for a 10-year old.”
“There’s no greater joy that enthusing kids for the sport that you love, and seeing how they respond,” Gareth added. “We’ve kids here who’ve never even seen Gaelic football on YouTube, but they want to learn, have fun, and play with their pals.”
“For the older ones, there will be a more competitive element,” Danny said. “We know we are a minority sport, and to retain players, we know we have to equip the kids with all the necessary skills to be competitive not only in Scotland, but at the North-British tournament in Manchester, and even against teams from Ireland.
“We’re also conscious that as the season ramps up, we need to pay attention to how the players train, especially the older ones. We have a county level strength and conditioning coach available to give us advice in how to structure our sessions and plan for recovery. It all means hard work for the kids and the coaches. But lots of fun, too.
“Every kid has something to offer. Something to give back to the group. No matter how old or how skilled, or how young or new to the game. As much joy as there is in seeing a seasoned player score a worldie from the sideline, there’s just as much joy in seeing the elation in a new player’s face when they make their first fist pass in a match.”
Paul Maher couldn’t be happier either saying: “It’s tremendously rewarding coaching kids, but you do need support and I’m absolutely delighted to have the lads on board for 2025. Their experience is vital. I really think big things are going to happen.”
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