Liam Culloty on delivering a first National Cup for Brunell and his special four years on the northside

Liam Culloty stepped down from his role as head coach of Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell Women’s Super League team over the summer. 

However, he is leaving the club on very good terms and the players he coached over the four-year period that he was at the helm.

In his time at the club, he oversaw a lot of young girls develop into Super League players, helped young girls to get to the level so that they could receive offers to play College ball in America.

His greatest feat was guiding the Nellies to the Holy Grail by winning the Women’s National Cup two years ago.

“I think it was June 2022, I saw the Brunell coaching position being advertised so I sent in my CV and was lucky enough to be hired.

“Little did I think then I would be in the job for the next four years! I knew Brunell was a club with ambition and with good people involved. What started as a coaching opportunity became a huge part of my life and I feel very fortunate that it worked out the way it did.

Worth the sacrifice

“The four years went incredibly quickly, and there were obviously ups and downs, but the overall my experience was fantastic. I was travelling from Tralee each way for training and matches four times a week, so it was a huge commitment. But honestly, when you enjoy what you're doing, you don't think about the sacrifice in the same way. 

"When you are working with a group of players that reciprocate that commitment, you are happy to make those sacrifices. There were long journeys, late nights and plenty of hard work, but there was also a huge amount of fun, laughter and great memories."

Culloty learned so much over the four years and credits the players for shaping him into the coach he is today. He had some special moments in his four-year tenure in charge but his biggest highlight was getting to work with the players.

“I learned a lot about coaching during those four years, but I probably learned even more about leadership and relationships. You have different personalities, different backgrounds, different challenges and your job is to bring all of these people together and make them believe they can achieve something together.

"And when that happens, when the group really becomes a team, there is nothing better. Also I took huge satisfaction in seeing players develop, both as basketballers and as people. Watching players grow in confidence, take responsibility and overcome challenges was every bit as rewarding as winning games. 

There were difficult nights, of course, but there were far more moments where I thought, 'This is why we do it'. 

“There are so many other memories that stand out. Some of the best ones are actually the moments that happen away from the big games — warm-ups for training, watching players develop and maybe go on to bigger things like getting scholarships to play in America, individual conversations with players, the celebrations and even the difficult nights when everyone had to pull together. 

"There is something very special about being part of a team and going through all of those experiences together. You win a trophy and everyone remembers the final, however, the people inside the team remember everything that happened to get there."

Special

Culloty leaves a very good crop of players for the incoming coach Keith Daly. He praised the players, committee, coaches and volunteers and gave a special mention to Jodie Black for all her help and support in his time at the club.

“First and foremost I like to thank all the players, as they are the reason you do the job. They gave me their time, their commitment and their trust, and I’ll always be grateful for that and they made the four years incredibly enjoyable. I’d also like to thank everyone involved behind the scenes at Brunell — the committee, coaches and volunteers.

"Special mention to Jodie Black who gave me so much help and support last season as my assistant coach.

"A huge thank you also has to go to the parents and families who travelled, supported the team and helped create such a positive environment around the group. I arrived as a coach and leave with four years of fantastic memories and a lot of people who I’m very grateful to have met.

"Finally I would like to wish the new coach Keith and his squad all the best for the upcoming season."