01 October 2011
Andy Ward, Gearoid Adams and Paul McFlynn join Saffron set up
With the club season in Antrim drawing to a close, the saffrons senior football manager is already planning for 2012 and this weekend Liam Bradley unveiled his incoming management team. Speaking from Casement Park after watching O’Donnells retain the Junior Football title with a 1 point win over Eire Og, Bradley first paid tribute to outgoing members of his backroom team, Paddy McNeill and Niall Conway.
“I want to thank Niall and Paddy for the dedication they showed over the last three years. Their work has helped moved Antrim onto a new level and they were great ambassadors for the county. They helped set a new standard and the challenge now is to build on that in the coming years.
Coming into the Antrim set up for the coming season are former international rugby star Andy Ward, Antrim stalwart Gearoid Adams and former Derry Ulster Championship winner Paul McFlynn. Bradley is delighted to have the new team in place.
“Andy Ward is the new fitness coach. He’s a former international rugby player with Ireland and won the European Cup with Ulster. His experience in professional rugby will be a great boost for Antrim. W e’re delighted to have him on board. Gearoid Adams needs no introduction to Antrim followers, having played for the team with great pride for many years.”
Gearoid is currently managing his club’s senior team, at St Johns.
“Paul McFlynn played for Derry in the late 1990s and into the 2000s. He won an Ulster medal in 1998 and he has a few Railway Cup medals too. Paul has worked with some of the greatest figures the game has seen in Eamon Coleman, John Brennan, Brian Mullins and Malachy O’Rourke. He has good experience in college football too. Paul’s experience as a coach and player will help Antrim.”
It is clear that Liam Bradley’s enthusiasm and commitment to Antrim is as strong now as when he took up the reins at the beginning of 2009. Now heading into his 4th season, Bradley has much to look back on, including that landmark Ulster Final appearance, successive promotions in his first two seasons (albeit followed by relegation this year) and our first qualifier wins in 10 years earlier this summer. But with a new backroom team in place, Bradley is only looking forward.
Asked if he is looking forward to the challenges which 2012 might bring he is unhesitant in his response: “Absolutely, bring it on!”
