Gary Hackett loving life as the College Corinthians manager despite all the ups and downs

Castletreasure stood silent on a day that promised so much, but ended with heartbreak.

What could have been a night of celebration ended in nothing, as the Munster Senior League Premier Division title was won by Midleton on the final day of the season.

College Corinthians, despite leading the race for most of the year, were left with nothing.

It was a tough blow to take, and the club responded by rallying under manager Gary Hackett.

They are now in the mix at the top end of the table, and the club is into the Round of 16 in the FAI Intermediate Cup. 

Corinthians have also progressed deep into the Keane Cup, meaning the next few months are going to be massive for the coach and his players.

How they got to that point is complicated, and it started with a firm message by Hackett after the heartbreak at Castletreasure last May.

“I reminded them of how that points total would have won you a league nearly every other season, that they were a pleasure to work with all season and were a bounce of a ball from winning a league,” Hackett explained.

“Try to take the positives, learn from the mistakes and kick on next season. 

"That’s all you can do really!” 

Corinthians turned that frustration into a relentless start to the new season, and five different competitions have stretched Hackett’s squad.

“Games are great, ask any player they would rather games than training sessions all day long so lots to be positive about,” he said.

“The squad is really being stretched, it shows the importance of every single squad member, but we are slowly seeing bodies come back from injury so again things are starting look positive for us on that front also.” 

Hackett is more than prepared for the challenge, he has years of experience in his locker.

“Look, I’ve been coaching and managing since I’m in my 20s so not my first rodeo but managing in the Munster senior League Premier Division is intense and it’s like a full time job but I love the pressure and that drives me on every week,” he explained.

“The pressure comes from myself and nobody else,” he added.

"I can be my own biggest critic and bit of an over thinker at times especially when we lose but nobody will say or do anything to me to drive me on more than my own will to win."

As good as this sounds, Corinthians have had issues over the last three months. 

They were knocked out of the Munster Senior Cup by Ringmahon Rangers and they’ve suffered frustrating defeats to Rockmount, Avondale United, and Rockmount in the league.

“Bit of a hangover early on mixed with massive injuries in the squad didn’t help, but nobody wants to hear about that or care about it why should they as they sound like excuses,” Hackett talked about his side’s start to the campaign.

That changed with victories over Cobh Wanderers and local rivals Douglas Hall. 

They also got their FAI Intermediate Cup campaign up and running by defeating Temple United and Ballymun United in Dublin.

“All positive, exciting times and we will be just fine in the league too because I work with the players every week and know there’s enough there to win games,” he added, while referencing their result results.” 

This was done with a squad featuring a host of Corinthians academy graduates and former League of Ireland players like Ian Turner and Mark O’Sullivan.

This blended approach to building a team has proved to be a winning combination in recent years at Castletreasure.

It also ensures a steady pathway to the academy that produced current Republic of Ireland internationals Chiedozie Ogbene, Adam Idah, and Megan Connolly.

That’s ultimately what it is all about – making sure the club’s youth-focused identity is protected while there is a steady pathway to first-team football for those lining out at underage level.

“The club do some really excellent work underage and the numbers are massive, the facilities (while under construction ) will be the best around in another 2 – 3 years so the future is very bright,” Hackett looked towards the future.

“All those you have mentioned are unreal role models and for any child as long as they can see it they can be it and that’s why it’s great that those role models can be seen around the place as regularly as they can and often drop in and mingle with the kids in fairness to them.”