Sport

London GAA appoint Ciaran Deely as new Senior football manager

CIARAN Deely has been appointed as new manager of the London senior football side for the 2016 campaign.

The Wexford native was a member of Paul Coggins’ backroom staff during the 2015 Championship, before leaving the set-up to pursue work commitments in India, where he is currently first-team Fitness Coach for Indian Premier League side Kerala Blasters FC.

The former Queens Park Rangers sports scientist is expected to return to London in December, by which time the county panel will already have regrouped for training ahead of the 2016 National League campaign.

Deely, who captained the Model County in their run the All-Ireland semi-final in 2008, was ratified upon being recommended to club delegates at November’s County Board meeting, with Coggins having stepped down in September.

He will have three selectors, namely Brian McBrearty (Tir Chonaill Gaels) Paddy Curtin (Round Towers) and his former coach at Kingdom Kerry Gaels, Noel Dunning, who he has won a London Senior Championship title under.

Deely in action with Wexford in 2008 [©INPHO/Ryan Byrne]

County training will resume on November 15 under the aforementioned selectors and Deely is believed to be seeking a challenge game prior to the National League and ahead of the Championship campaign.

London GAA Secretary Mark Gottsche said: “He played for Wexford for a number of years and won four or five medals in Wexford for his club Horeswood.

“He also played with the Kingdom in 2013 when they won the Championship here. He trained the Kingdom as well.

“He’s a qualified strength and conditioning coach and has worked previously with QPR, has got a very good reputation and has played and worked with people at a very high level.

“He was the outstanding candidate of the people we spoke with.”

Earlier this year, The Irish Post interviewed Deely on life in London, his love of GAA and his former role with QPR.

See More: 2016, Ciaran Deely, Featured, London GAA, Manager, Ruislip, Wexford