Barry Ryan excited to make impact with Cork City U19s

Teaching is his passion and he has proven to be good at it both in and outside of the classroom.

Newly-appointed Cork City U19s women's manager Barry Ryan begins his first year as manager in the National League but his success to date at schools level is something all on Leeside hopes he can bring to club level.

The father of two secondary school teachers and who hails from Thurles is enthusiastic, passionate, and hungry to succeed at City, a club he feels has huge talent and here he tells us about how the position came about and how excited he is to get started.

“Danny Murphy approached me two years ago about coming in but I was tied up with Munster schools and wasn’t in a position to fully commit but we stayed in touch and after completing my UEFA B licence in October I felt the time was right now to take on the challenge,” said Ryan.

“The club have been absolutely brilliant in terms of co-ordinating pre-season for me in terms of venues and the allocated times I had looked for, it has made the transition seamless and we’re in a really good place now heading into pre-season.

“I started the role in the last couple of weeks and we played two internal games which gave me an opportunity to see everyone and finalise a squad for the upcoming season.

I am very happy with the team I have assembled. As well as the current girls I have added a few outside of Cork. 

"Eva Loftus has come in from Peamount, Meabh Cuddihy from Wexford, Laura Falvey scored 37 goals for Kerry last season and will bring increased firepower to the group and Grace Hogan has come in having previously been with Treaty United and Wexford winning back-to-back Inter-Pro titles with Munster.

“These players have been in and around the international set-up and will bring quality to a group that is already really talented.

“Our main aim will be to produce players for the senior team which is the main function of the 19s and as a group we feel the best way to do that is to be really competitive and securing a place in the Elite Phase come June would be a target for the group.”

PRIORITY

When asked about the frustration of not being able to choose his starting team until after the seniors have played in order for seniors to maybe get game time with his 19s, Barry was quick to state that this wouldn’t be an issue for him, as he knows the first team is priority.

“I have been involved in League of Ireland as a player and now as a coach so I understand the situation and we have a big squad and when players are with the seniors it gives a great opportunity for someone else to step up.

“I think the biggest challenge at 19s for a manager is balancing education and football with a large proportion of the squad doing the leaving cert. We need to make sure the players are getting enough contact time and also not coming under pressure with school.

“The solution as always is to be adaptable and to communicate with the parents and the players.

“I am delighted with my backroom staff also. Pat Barrett will be goalkeeping coach, he is really experienced having won silverware at Athlone and Peamount. Pat was also part of Munster School’s Inter Pro success.

“Josh Cooney will remain as coach and provides a good link to the great work Trish Fennelly did last year with the group and that bit of continuity is important. Rebecca Falvey joins as Performance Coach. Rebecca is a Sports Science Student in UL and will look after Nutrition and S & C.

Again having been in the league as a player I am familiar with the uncertainty that surrounds every season. It is no different in any other club.

“The appointments of Derek (Coughlan) and Frank (Kelleher) have been hugely positive. I would have been familiar with Frank’s work, particularly winning the FAI Cup in 2017 and of course really familiar with Derek’s playing career and that FAI cup winning goal.

“I am really looking forward to working with the two lads and they have been really welcoming and we have had some really positive conversations so far. I think it’s a really exciting time to be joining the club.”