OUTGOING… Peter McGinnity
Colm Bradley pays tribute to outgoing Coaching and Games Manager Peter McGinnity and argues that whoever takes over the job has a big task on their hands
In many ways it is the most difficult job in Fermanagh GAA.
The Coaching and Games Manager has a big portfolio with a lot of responsibility and since 2005 Peter McGinnity has been carrying out that role with his customary professionalism and attention to detail.
Stepping down in September there is sure to be a keen interest in his position and plenty of excellent candidates who will be keen to take up the reins.
McGinnity is regarded as one of the finest coaches in the game. His managerial record with St Michael’s, Killyclogher and Roslea speaks for itself while elements of his coaching style can be found in a host of coaches who would have came under his watchful eyes as footballers over the past 30 years.
There is no doubt that McGinnity is leaving big boots to fill and as the Roslea native leaves the post he does so at a time of serious change in the way counties are approaching developing their young players.
McGinnity, along with all the coaches in Fermanagh, has been doing excellent work over the past eight years but there is agrowing acceptance that much more investment is needed at the base if results are to be seen at the top. And this is something which neither the Coaching and Games Manager or the coaches within the county can control.
Over the years at AGM’s it has been reported with a sense of pride that Fermanagh has been able to keep the costs of Coaching and Games Development down and there has been occasions where outgoings have been less than incomings when you take into account funding from Croke Park and revenue from Cul Camps.
There is nothing wrong with prudent use of resources and in the current climate money is very hard to come by but perhaps it is time to ask the question whether total expenditure, and specifically where it goes, needs to be looked at.
Fermanagh need to identify what areas need investment and this should not be something that is done on a whim but with careful consideration about what has worked in other counties and what are the best practices currently employed.
For one I think Fermanagh desperately need a full time strength and conditioning coach.
And this may just be the tip of the ice berg in terms of what extra is needed.
Any change that is going to happen however needs to be driven by the clubs of Fermanagh.
Motions need to come from clubs and real discussion needs to be driven by the stakeholders in Fermanagh GAA, the ordinary member.
As was stated at the start of this piece the Coaching and Games Manager is probably the most difficult job in the whole of Fermanagh GAA, if not even in the whole of Ulster GAA. McGinnity did a remarkable job but any successor needs to be given more resources.
Fermanagh stands at a crossroads and while I agree that it is vital that the right individual gets the job, and I would suggest Fermamagh GAA head-hunt for that right person, what is far more important is the support that he or she receives and that a change of mindset is undertaken by the county as a whole.