Sporting Fingal announce new general manager

Sporting Fingal have recently announced the appointment of John Gahan as general manager. Gahan spoke to extratime.ie about his role and Sporting Fingal’s plan to establish themselves within the Eircom League.

“I was appointed two weeks ago and I am responsible for off-field matters. Liam Buckley looks after the playing side; I look after finance, commercial etc. It’s an amazing challenge".

When asked about his prior knowledge of Irish football, Gahan spoke honestly of his past:

“I was involved with Skerries in the Leinster Senior League for six years so I’m very aware of grassroots football. With regards the Eircom League, Drogheda is the nearest ground to me in Skerries so, yeah, I am very aware of what goes on at this level. I probably shouldn’t say this, but I used to toddle along down to see Shels’ as a boy (this interview was conducted the morning of Sporting Fingal’s league tie with Shels’).

Sporting Fingal, a new club within the Eircom League, are heading down a different path to other more established clubs. Gahan explained:

“We like to say we’re different to other clubs. We’re actively involved and committed to work within the community; Organising coaching for clubs in the Fingal area etc. Conan Byrne who plays for us is also involved in sales, marketing and promotion. He visited five schools on Thursday for example.

Asked if this type of community work would boost attendances at Morton Stadium, Gahan said “we would hope so”.

He went on to envisage Sporting Fingal as the target for footballers within the Fingal area should they emerge through their own clubs to Eircom League level.

“There’s 45 clubs in Fingal area, from U-8’s up. These clubs enjoy a huge amount of volunteers as managers and trainers etc. There are fine clubs at intermediate level within the scope of Fingal too.

“The likes of Malahide United and Killester are stand alone clubs for example. We have no schoolboy team, so for kids coming through their clubs, we want them to think Sporting Fingal. Our intention is to work with these clubs. We have already forged links with the NDSL (North Dublin Schoolboy League)

Sporting Fingal are planning big to back up these goals:

“Our medium term plan is the construction of a football academy, on which we are awaiting planning permission. We hope to have a full-size indoor pitch with 400 seats, a full-size astroturf pitch and a full-size grass pitch. A decision on planning permission on this is imminent.

“We hope that these facilities would provide a base for Fingal based clubs to come and receive systematic coaching which they could bring back to their homes. It’s not an unusual model on mainland Europe for example.

“Our long-term plan is to have a custom built ground in the next five or so years. It’s out of the remit of Sporting Fingal at the moment as Fingal County Council are establishing their plans for 2011-16. It’s with the planners.

“Here at Sporting Fingal we have ambitions. We’ll see…”

Sporting Fingal sit in fourth in Division One after their goalless draw with Shelbourne on Friday last.