The Grassroots Coach Podcast

Ollie Cahill and myself sat down with Antonio Mantero in early 2025 to discuss all things grassroots football. I revisited the conversation over the recent Christmas break and there are some great insights to share including...responsibility of the coach to his/her players, what coaches get out of coaching at this level,  commitment required whether as a volunteer or a paid coach, league structures in Ireland, and loads more! Antonio is a wealth of knowledge with huge passion for developing players. It was a pleasure to meet him and to now share the conversation. Its a long listen, but well worth staying with it.  If you'd like to share some feedback, please email me at [email protected]

In this second episode we chat to Mitch Whitty from Maximum Performance Academy (MPA) about his methods for coaching young footballers. Mitch focusses a lot on counter attacking, so if counter attacking is your thing, this could be the episode for you. Check out www.thegrassrootscoach.org for the session planner for Mitch's favourite counter attack session.

Ollie Cahill, former professional football, Paul Smyth former FAI Development Officer and myself discuss coaching approaches that work for us and the conversation leads us into what works best during half time team talks for young players. We also discuss the importance of using language that young players understand. Check out www.thegrassrootscoach.org for session plans.

Part 1 of a two part conversation with Remy Tang of Bohemians FC and formerly of Liverpool FC, where we discuss young player performance, dealing with the growth spurt and areas of focus in the short time we have as coaches with young players.   We'd appreciate your support by clicking Here 

Due to the popularity of Coaching Tips & Coaching Nuggets Part 1, this episode is a collection of the tips and nuggets from many of the contributors to the podcast so far...a greatest hits so to speak. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. Contributions on Part 2 from Martin Russell, Aaron Callaghan, Laura Cusack, Megan Smith Lynch, Paul Smith, Johnny McDonnell, John Morling and Pat Cleary. Thanks to all for your support on this passion project. We'd appreciate your support by clicking Here   

In this second episode I chat with Bob Browaeys about the Belgian FA strategic focus on the late developer and its successes, how talent is defined, the challenges faced transitioning from youth to adult football, and the importance of coaches creating a learning environment for their players...and much more!! If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. We'd appreciate your support by clicking Here   

A conversation with Bob Browaeys, Head of Youth at the Royal Belgian FA and Technical Director at the Flemish FA where we discuss the Belgian vision and plans, development versus winning, the importance of making new mistakes, the questions to ask after youth games, and his perception of Irish football. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link.  

In conversation with former FAI Development Officer and UEFA Coach, Laura Cusack, and Megan Smith Lynch, Ireland U16 Women's Coach and current Peamount United player where we discuss coaching styles, use of age appropriate language, and effective questioning of your players. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link.   We'd appreciate your support by clicking Here   

In the first of two episodes, I chat with Laura Cusack, UEFA coach and former development officer with the Football Association of Ireland and Megan Smith Lynch, Ireland U16 women's coach and current Peamount United player where we discuss their own playing and coaching careers to date and opportunities for female soccer players. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. We'd appreciate your support by clicking Here     

As the new season kicks off, join Johnny McDonnell, Director of Football at Belvedere FC and Paul Smith, Football Director at Home Farm FC where we share some insights and nuggets into how to effectively communicate with young players before, during and after a game. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. We'd appreciate your support by clicking Here