Our annual Paddys day social call with special guests Kevin Grogan and Stevie Conway.

Steven – a former Kerry League of Ireland U21 player is the COO of Kerry FC in the league of Ireland. He has held multiple positions in the US with clubs such as the Boston Bolts as well as currently being the Head Coach at Dexter Southfield School. Stevens love for Kerry and sport in Kerry has led to the creation of Kerry FC with several other fanatical Kerry people. Steven played college soccer at Thomas University in Georgia and graduated with a bachelor's degree.

Paul Conway is a native of Dublin. He played his college soccer at Lambuth University in Jackson TN. Paul or Paulie as hes known is a legend in West Tennessee. Paul ended up playing for Richie Grant at Lambuth and later joining him at the University of Memphis as a Graduate Assistant. Paul has held roles at Lambuth University as the Head Coach as well as several roles with the Jackson Soccer Club and ODP. He is currently a faculty member at the University School of Jackson and is the Head coach for the boys and girls soccer teams. Paul holds both bachelors and masters degrees and is a USSF A license Coach. In this podcast we discuss everything from Colaiste Ide, growing up, life as a head coach and many other football related topics. Paul resides in Jackson, Tn with his wife April and son Jack. Enjoy the Listen Everyone!!!!!!

We are joined by Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Head in the game group to discuss the organization and Mental Health within the game. Chicago based Dean gives us a great insight in to the group and the topic of mental health, we discuss mental health in football as well as being a football coach abroad and what it all means.  

Head in the Game was initially set up by a group of Dundalk FC fans, with the goal of starting a positive conversation about mental health and well-being in the Irish football community, and wider Irish society.

We want to provoke an important discussion and create awareness about mental health while breaking down the stigma that comes with it.

In recent years we have seen the topic of mental health come to the forefront more than ever before.

However, common mental health issues such as depression and anxiety still have negative connotations attached to them, and admission of suffering is still perceived as a weakness by many.

We are very aware League of Ireland clubs have initiated localized discussions and campaigns, but we believe a general campaign like Head in the Game would be the first of its kind.

The public backing of clubs and the people involved with these clubs would be powerful for stimulating the involvement of stakeholders within the league, and the FAI.

Here is our recent podcast with GoPlay Sports Tours. Joining the discussion are NAICA President John O'Rourke, and board members, Enda Crehan, and Darragh Boyle. Thanks to GoPlay for having us on to discuss our organization and what it means for the Irish in America. 

Dont forget to check us out on social media and register for our Free membership https://linktr.ee/NorthAmericanIrishCoaches 

Cheers!!!

Pearl has played for Raheny United in the Women’s National League in the 2012/13 season after returning home from college in America. In the USA Pearl played for Hutchinson CC and Clayton State University. She was part of a squad for the next three seasons that won two league titles and three FAI Cups, while also competing in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 Champions Leagues.

She is the Shelbourne captain and has been rock solid as well as being an integral part of the Shelbourne project going into 2020. She also combines her playing career with her job in the FAI. Pearl holds a UEFA A coaching qualification. Enjoy the podcast folks. 

Johnny McKinstry is a UEFA Pro Coach and Professional football manager from Northern Ireland.  He has experience coaching in Asia, Europe, North America and Africa, he has a track record of consistently raising performance at elite level - by developing teams, players and staff. A fascinating story and journey. Below is a list of clubs and countries Johnny has worked for. Enjoy the Listen Everyone.

Experienced: Head Coach, Uganda National Team; Head Coach, SAIF Sporting Club (Premier League, Bangladesh); Head Coach, FK Kauno Zalgiris (A-Lyga, Lithuania); Head Coach, Rwanda National Team; Head Coach, Sierra Leone National Team; Academy Manager, Craig Bellamy Foundation; Academy Coach, Right to Dream and New York Red Bulls.

Molloy, who is from Dublin, hails from a soccer family: His father, Trevor, was a prominent striker in the League of Ireland. The younger Molloy began his career at Drogheda United in 2016 before moving across the pond to Keiser University (Fla.) and then Penn State. Molloy starred for Reading United AC in his college off-season's, winning USL League Two’s Young Player of the Year award in 2017.

Larry Mahony is a former FAI UEFA ‘A’ License instructor with over 30 years of coaching experience. He has provided expert coaching for players at every level of football in Ireland, from the youngest beginners all the way up to the professionals of Ireland’s National League. He has worked with underage international teams and – as coach on the FAI player education programs – was instrumental in the development of full internationals Roy Keane and Mark Kennedy.

A former youth international himself, he was previously a first-team coach at Ireland’s premier club, Shamrock Rovers, as well as Drogheda United, Bray Wanderers and Athlone Town. He was also a national league and cup winner as head coach of the University College Dublin women’s team.

We discuss coaching, LOI, the USA pathway and more!!

ENJOY!!!!

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.