Patricia Hughes comes to the position as the College Programs Officer after three and half years as Athletic Director of Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. During her successful tenure at Salem, she led multiple community initiatives, developed a college-wide NCAA Compliance education program, and implemented and monitored Title IX training strategies plans and processes. Her career path has included not only athletic administration at Salem, the University of New Haven and the University of Montevallo, but a wide variety of NCAA committees and projects, head soccer coach roles at the University of Montevallo and Belmont University, assistant coach at Auburn University and a stint as Director of Operations for a large youth soccer club. She also had a playing career, which included both college and appearances for the Ireland Women’s National Team.

North American Irish Coaches Show

Patricia "Trish" Hughes "The Irish Rover"

McCourt is a former Northern Ireland International whose playing career spans over 17 years. At the height of his time as a pro, Paddy played for Celtic and had 18 senior appearances with Northern Ireland. A winger by trade, Paddy was nicknamed ‘the Derry Pele’ due to his technical ability and propensity for scoring ‘wonder goals’. Today, Paddy is the Technical Director at League of Ireland Derry City FC, where he is charged with overseeing the clubs aspiring academy players. Paddy kicked off the recent North American Irish Coaches Clinic and is interviewed by Dublin born Fox Soccer Analyst  Keith Costigan.  A fantastic listen!! Enjoy 

Paddy McCourt "The Derry Pelé"

As a young player, Sean Kelly stood out within Arsenal’s youth academy. A talented center back with a high soccer IQ, he captained Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup and played with Cesc Fabregas, one of the most accomplished players in English Premier League history. Kelly also has caps for the Irish U17 and U19s.  Through a series of unfortunate injuries, Kelly’s time with Arsenal came to an end, and he later played with Cork City, Galway United and Pike Rovers in Ireland. Kelly’s life and career were transformed when he received a phone call from Lansdowne. The club offered him a chance to play and the opportunity for work in the construction business. Kelly is now the first team manager at Lansdowne and is pursuing his coaching badges. A fantastic listen about the Kerry Mans journey. Enjoy!

Sean Kelly "The Kerryman"

Steve Guppy as a player appeared in over 550 matches as a professional from 1989 to 2008, including two separate stints in the English Premier League with Leicester City (1997-2001 and 2004). Guppy recorded 161 appearances for the Foxes as a left winger. Guppy also appeared for Newcastle United, Port Vale, Celtic Leeds United, Stoke City, Wycombe Wanderers, D.C. United, Stevenage F.C. and the Rochester Rhinos. At the conclusion of his playing career, Guppy joined Gary Smith’s coaching staff at Colorado Rapids from 2009 to 2012. In their time together, Guppy and Smith went on to win the 2010 MLS Cup in a playoff run that saw the club give up one goal or less in every match. After his time in Colorado, Guppy returned overseas and joined the coaching staff of Sunderland A.F.C. in the Premier League. In Guppy’s most recent coaching stop, he spent the last five years working on the National Team staff of the Republic of Ireland along with Martin O’Neill before joining him at Nottingham Forest in 2019. An incredible story that goes from being a construction worker to becoming a professional footballer!! Enjoy Everyone!!

Steve Guppy "Martin O' Neill, Irish Football and Shane Longs Goal"

Don O'Riordan (born in Dublin) is an Irish former professional footballer and football manager. O'Riordan notably played for Middlesbrough, Grimsby Town and Notts County among others and has been on the coaching staffs at Sheffield United, in the role of technical director/coach of their feeder club Chengdu Blades F.C. in China. Don has also coached the Chinese womens national team in the Olympics and spent time in the USA as a player playing against the likes of George Best. O' Riordan has also managed in the LOI with Galway United, Sligo Rovers and the Galway WFC.  A fascinating journey with some great stories and tales that include Brian Clough as well as some other famous players in the mens and womens game. No doubt a part 2 will have to take place on this interview!! 

Don O'Riordan "The Dubliner that has seen football all over the world"

Dolores Deasley begins her 13th season as head coach of the Jones College Bobcats in 2020.  Deasley received a BS degree in education from Hofstra University in 2004 and her master’s in sports management from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was an assistant coach for the Lady Eagles’ soccer team. During her senior year at Hofstra, Deasley was named Female Student-Athlete of the Year, the Colonial Athletic Association’s Defensive Player of the Year, First team All-CAA, Third Team All-American and First Team All-Region by the National Soccer Association of American and Soccer Buzz magazine. A member of the Irish National Team since 1999, Deasley has also played for the New York Magic, the Long Island Lady Riders, Bristol Rovers and was a Women’s Premier Soccer League national champion with the Long Island Fury. Deasley is the daughter of William and Bridget Deasley and has five brothers and four sisters. Deasley is a native of Drumkeen in County Donegal. 

Dolores Deasley "Destination Donegal"

Paddy Barrett began his professional playing career with Scottish side Dundee United FC before being loaned to his hometown club Waterford FC in 2014. From 2015-17, Barrett spent three years with League of Ireland Premier Division powerhouse Dundalk FC, where he competed in a UEFA Europa League playoff match and Champions League qualifiers during his stay before heading back to Waterford on loan. Barrett ventured stateside in 2018 after being signed by FC Cincinnati, going on to tally 83 clearances, 34 interceptions and a single goal in his 16 appearances in the club’s final USL Championship campaign. Paddy currently plays for Indy Eleven in the USL Championship.  Peader Cleary is a native of Waterford in Ireland and at 16 years of age moved to the USA to attend High School.  Peader went on to play at the NCAA D2 level and is now living and working in New York State. Peader recently opened up about his mental health struggle and missing home as well as missing the football life that college soccer gave him.  This podcast talks everything from football, Mental health in the game as well as being away from Ireland and home during these crazy times. A great talk with two honest lads that will no doubt hit home with many of our listeners. Enjoy!!!

The Déise County Lads "Football, Immigration and Mental Health"

A native of Ballina, Ireland, Sully has worked at many different levels in the United States and abroad. While at the Atlanta Beat, O’Sullivan coached USA National team players, Hope Solo, Tobin Heath, Lori Chalupny & Angie Kerr; also present were many top international players, including Japan’s captain Aya Miyami, 2008 Hermann Winner Mami Yamaguchi, England’s Eniola Aluko  and current Damallsvenskan stars Johanna Rasmussen of Denmark and Ramona Bachmann of Switzerland. Before coming to the Beat O’Sullivan was a professional head coach in the Icelandic Premier League for three seasons. However, it’s at the NCAA Division II level where O’Sullivan has made his mark, serving as head coach at Christian Brothers, West Georgia and Clayton State. O’Sullivan was head coach for both the men’s and women’s teams at Christian Brothers from 1997 to 2003. He posted a record of 87-19-3 with the Christian Brothers women, leading the Lady Bucs to three straight Gulf South Conference championships, an NCAA Division II national runner-up finish in 2001 and the NCAA Division II national championship in 2002. O'Sullivan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Memphis in 1992, where he played collegiately for the Tigers. He and his wife, Anna, are proud parents of two sons - Liam and Tomas.

Gareth O' Sullivan "The Green and Red of Mayo"

Brendan Teeling holds a UEFA A license and is currently working within the Vancouver Whitecaps organization. Brendan has also worked as an assistant director of the Elite Development League program for LA Galaxy in Orange County, California. Brendan grew up in County Meath and attended University in Ireland as well as doing his graduate work in Ontario, Canada. Brendan also has experience working in the youth npl league in Australia. Another great story of an Irish man coaching and following his passion in North America. Enjoy Everyone!!!!

Brendan Teeling "The Canadian Journeyman"

Shane Edward O'Neill (born September 2, 1993) is an Irish-American soccer player who plays for Seattle Sounders in the MLS. O’Neill began his career with the Colorado Rapids in 2012.  Shane has also played in Holland and England. O'Neill is the son of former All-Ireland winning Cork Gaelic Footballer, Colm O'Neill  , and is a nephew of former Kerry Gaelic footballer, Maurice Fitzgerald. In this episode we talk all things soccer and what it was like growing up with two famous people from the GAA around him as well as his soccer journey which included many summers in Ireland training with Cobh and Cork City as a young lad. Enjoy everyone!!! 

Shane O'Neill "Cork Born, Colorado Raised"

Méabh De Búrca (born 11 August 1988) is an Irish Footballer who played for the Republic of Ireland women's national football team and Women's National League club Galway. At club level she previously played in America for Boston Aztec, in Norway for Amazon Grimstad and for Swedish club Eskilstuna United. De Búrca can play in defence or midfield. Meabh also played in the United State at the University of New Haven. Meabh also was a commentator on the women's world cup. A super listen, ENJOY!!!!

Méabh De Búrca "The Galway Girl"

Niall Logue originally from Derry  played for four years at Institute. Logue then moved to the United States in 2014 to play college soccer at Yavapai College in Arizona, where he played for two years before transferring to Ohio State. On 21 February 2018, Logue joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City. He spent part of the 2018 season on loan to Finn Harps before joining them permanently ahead of their 2019 season. Niall is currently the captain of FC Tucson in the USL League One. 

Niall Logue "The Derry Left Peg"

Ryan is a native of Tipperary and has amassed a legendary professional career that spans 15 years and two continents. He made his professional debut with Sunderland in the English Premier League in the 2003 season. After an 11-year career in Europe, playing in the first division in Ireland, Scotland, and Belgium, Ryan moved to the United States and joined then NASL club Ottawa Fury for the 2014 season where they reached the finals. Prior to joining the club, Ryan played with USL Championship club FC Cincinnati, before they made their debut in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2019.

Richie Ryan "Its a long way to Tipperary"

The North American Irish Coaches teamed up again with  the Modern Soccer Coach to bring you a live interview and Q&A with former Republic of Ireland and Wolves coach, Terry Connor. He discusses his coaching journey, perspectives on Irish football, and answer questions from the coaches in attendance. A fantastic insight to his journey and the loyalty of being an assistant coach at the highest level. 

Terry Connor " Ireland, Wolves and more"

Irish Football Association elite performance director, Jim Magilton, joined us in the Summer as we teamed up again with Modern Soccer Coach and Gary Curneen.  We discussed his youth experience at Liverpool, and his playing career in the Premier League, and his experiences on the management side of the game with Ipswich Town and Queens Park Rangers. A top fella and well worth a listen. 

Jim Magilton "Northern Ireland Legend"

Interviews with current Irish coaches across North America. Gain a better insight into the world of coaching through Irish coaches experiences and jobs

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North American Irish Coaches Show

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