O’DONOVAN ROSSA footballer Paudie Crowley was recently appointed as the first games promotion officers in the Carbery divisional area.

The popular appointment was made possible due to the financial backing of Cairde Chorcaí and the 26 clubs in the Carbery division. Paudie is delighted with his new GPO role and is keen to get started.

“I am thrilled to get this opportunity,” revealed the coaching enthusiast.

“There is nothing better than to be able to work with fantastic players and coaches in promoting GAA in the Carbery division.”

Among Paudie’s many remits will be to help the standard of coaching amongst the clubs, national schools, and secondary schools in the Carbery division. Paudie, who has already begun in his new job, is looking forward to putting his own personal stamp on the role.

“I’m getting to grips with the role now. There are exciting times ahead. I’ll be aiming to implement new ideas with the Carbery board and especially the clubs. There has never been anything else besides a games development administrator in the division.

“I hope that by doubling up our numbers, we’ll be able to use our time wisely with the clubs and our schools, both primary and secondary.”

Paudie — who has completed a plethora of coaching courses and possesses years of experience, both from a playing and coaching perspective — had to fight off stiff competition for the new GPO role in the Carbery division. He says that this newly created role is the kind of job he has always wanted.

“It was very competitive as 19 people applied for the job and so many moved forward for the interview stage. I was a small bit nervous before and after my interview because you never know what’s going to happen.

“Luckily, I received the call and was offered the job. I was absolutely delighted. All the hard work over the last few years paid off. I’ve been working for a long time towards a job like this. It is great that I’ve finally been given the opportunity and hopefully I’ll be able to perform to the best of my ability in this role.”

Underage football is progressing very nicely throughout Cork county at present. Paudie, along with a large number of other coaches, have played an active role in recent years helping to develop players at underage level. Paudie says he is thrilled with the development of both players and coaches in Cork.

“There are some fantastic players in both Cork and Carbery. In Carbery at U13 level each year, our academy programme is going from strength to strength, and numbers are increasing.

“We have super players coming into our Rebel Óg squads from these academies. Our coaches are super and the effort and time they spend coaching young players is unbelievable.”

The ambitious coach has very specific aims he hopes to implement in the future in both codes throughout the division.

“Starting with immediate effect, I’m going to get out and meet all clubs before I put anything major in place. I will be working closely with all our underage groups through regional/district training sessions.

“My aim is to work closely with all the clubs in the Carbery division and implement programmes which will be arranged by individual clubs and myself.

“My second aim is promoting both hurling and football, with the assistance of club coaches in both our primary and post-primary schools.”

Paudie, who has enjoyed a stellar club career with O’Donovan Rossa, at both underage and adult level in a variety of positions, is indebted to the Carbery Divisional Board for their support in allowing him fulfill his coaching ambitions.

“Carbery GAA have been a massive help since I’ve started. They have been very open with me regarding the coaching role. They have already implemented a coaching committee to work alongside me in the division. From these little things, it’s a great benefit to myself that I’m not doing it all myself.”

The Skibbereen man, who has represented Cork at Vocational Schools’ level, first got involved in coaching underage teams within his beloved O’Donovan Rossa club.

He admits that, as a GAA enthusiast, his new role is a labour of love.

“I helped out years ago with an underage team refereeing a match for them and it has progressed from there, really.

“I love every bit of it. Being able to go out and promote Gaelic games to the next generation of players from all parts of West Cork is a role I am relishing.”

Coaching has changed significantly since Paudie first started out with his local team. Paudie however, has embraced all the changes, both on and off the pitch.

“Coaching has completely changed, as more academy groups are been given the opportunity to develop and progress through competitive action.

“Similarly, they are receiving the best opportunity to develop throughout these squads, receiving strength and conditioning sessions during the winter and fitness testing.

“Everything is changing for the better and our underage groups have been reaping the rewards from it.”

Tasked with developing and improving the standard of player emerging in the Carbery division, he is confident about the future of Cork GAA.

“The future is always bright,” he says. “There is a lot of great work going on behind the scenes throughout the county. We just need to nurture and increase our development with players.”