Sports is a way of life for Sarah Scanlon and her family

For Sarah Scanlon, football has never been a hobby, it's a way of life. 

A mother of two living in Douglas, Sarah’s days are a careful juggle of family and an ever-growing list of football commitments that see her deeply embedded in the game at club, school, and county level. From College Corinthians to the Cork U14 Girls Gaynor squad, she is learning the ropes of coaching while helping to shape the future of girls’ football in Cork.

Growing up in a family steeped in sport, Sarah believes she was destined to love football.

“I don’t think I was ever going to have a choice on whether I was going to like football or not coming from my family,” said Sarah. “Even as a child my father Buzz (O’Connell) used to bring me and my brother Beezer to his matches. We spent our childhood on the sideline, and then on the sidelines of my brother’s matches.” 

Sarah played for many years, stepping away around the time her daughter Caoimhe was starting out. Football, however, was never far from home. 

Her son Cían was already playing with College Corinthians, a club that also holds strong family connections, and when Caoimhe joined, Sarah found herself drawn back in – this time on the coaching side.

When Neil Daly put the call out for help with the girls’ academy, Sarah raised her hand. 

“I got roped in and it took off from there,” she laughs. 

She began coaching the academy teams aged 11 and under, staying with a group as they progressed through the age groups. That team is now the College Corinthians U13s, competing strongly in Division 1 after winning Division 2 last season.

“They’re a fantastic bunch of really committed young girls,” Sarah says with pride. 

As Head Coach of the U13s, she has completed all her FAI Grassroots coaching courses, recently updating them during 'coaching month' hosted at Corinthians. She is currently completing the final block of her C Licence and hopes to move on to her B Licence as soon as possible.

TALENTED

Alongside her club role, Sarah coaches multiple school teams and works with the Cork Women’s and Schoolgirls Soccer League. Last season, she coached the Cork Red U13 team, now the Cork U14 Gaynor squad.

“What a fantastically talented group of girls,” she says. “They’re only getting better and better. It’s fast-paced, competitive, and it really pushes me as a coach.” 

Footballing heritage runs deep in Sarah’s family. She is related to legendary Chelsea striker Bobby Tambling, and one of her standout childhood memories is spending summers with Bobby and her aunt Val in Portsmouth. 

I went to tournaments with him and got to meet some of the greats – George Best, Terry Venables, Peter Osgood. Even then I knew they were a big deal.” 

Her father Buzz, she adds with a smile, would tell you he was a big deal too – and with reason. He played with Crosshaven and Cork Youths and was part of the first team to win the Keane Cup, while also achieving historic success in Munster senior competitions. 

Sarah later coached in schools alongside Bobby Tambling, describing him as someone “you could sit and listen to all day with the amazing stories he comes out with.” 

Football remains a family affair. Her husband Derek is Coach Development Officer at College Corinthians and coaches the Boys’ U15 Premier team, where son Cían plays. Daughter Caoimhe plays on Sarah’s U13 team and also plays up at U14 level. 

Her siblings are equally involved, with brothers and sister playing and coaching across clubs in Cork. 

“Between us all being involved, we live up there. Which isn’t a bad thing when you enjoy it.” 

She has shown huge ambition. She is currently taking part in the FAI Changemaker 2.0 programme, a 12-month initiative designed to empower women to step into leadership roles within football. 

"It’s been a very valuable experience. 

Being part of such an incredible group of females is something I’m really proud of.” 

Looking ahead, Sarah hopes to continue progressing through her coaching badges, with the long-term dream of coaching at League of Ireland level. “I love working with different age groups and different coaches – you learn something from everyone.” 

Balancing family life, coaching, committee work, and even homing dogs for Dogs for the Disabled, Sarah Scanlon embodies dedication to both sport and community. Football may have been written into her story from the start, but it’s her passion, work ethic and belief in opportunity for girls that is shaping the next chapter.