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 structure...

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...

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 sup...

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...

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    

In this episode I chat to Martin Russell former manager of UCD and Limerick and Aaron Callaghan former manager of Bohemians and Athlone Town, both UEFA Pro Licence holders, where they give their views on player development in Ireland currently. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. We'd appreciate your support by clicking Here      

In this episode we discuss the two schoolboy seasons; Winter and Summer. The elite players play in the Summer and the rest typically play in the Winter. Why is this? If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. Join my conversation with Martin Russell, former UCD and Limerick Manager; Denis Hynes, FAI Development Officer; Paul Smyth, Home Farm Director of Football and Tony Manni...

In this episode, I speak with John Morling, Academy Manager at Brighton and Hove Albion and Pat Cleary, Head of Youth Development at Bohemians FC where we discuss the implications of Brexit for Irish players moving to the UK. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. We'd appreciate your support by clicking Here      

In this episode, I get an insight into the schoolboy careers of Martin Russell, who signed for Manchester United as a youth and Aaron Callaghan who signed for Stoke City around the same time. Martin is the former manager of UCD and Limerick FC and Aaron is the former manager of Longford Town and Bohemians FC. Both are UEFA Pro Licence holders. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on t...

This episode is a conversation with former colleagues and friends; Tony Mannion (former FAI Coach Education Tutor and former Galway United Manager), Paul Smyth (Director of Football at Home Farm FC) and Karl O'Shaughnessy (UEFA Coach and Sports Enthusiast) on the current landscape of underage soccer in Ireland. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. Check out www.thegrassr...

In this episode, I speak with Martin Perciavalle, FAI Futsal Lead Tutor and UEFA Futsal Licensed Coach, and Stephen Finn, UEFA A Coach and member of the Football Research Group at Waterford IT where we discuss the benefits of Futsal for the development of young players. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. Check out www.thegrassrootscoach.com

In this episode, I speak with Martin Perciavalle, FAI Futsal Lead Tutor and UEFA Futsal Licensed Coach, and Stephen Finn, UEFA A Coach and member of the Football Research Group at Waterford IT where we discuss the benefits of Futsal for the development of young players. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. Check out www.thegrassrootscoach.com

Join Stephen Finn, UEFA Coach and member of Waterford IT Research Group, Mark Rodden, Football Commentator and journalist, and myself, Paul Hamill, as we discuss the elite player pipeline in Ireland. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. Check out www.thegrassrootscoach.com

Join Stephen Finn, UEFA Coach and member of Waterford IT Research Group, Mark Rodden, Football Commentator and journalist, and myself, Paul Hamill as we discuss the elite player pipeline in Ireland. If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. Check out www.thegrassrootscoach.com

In this episode, Johnny McDonnell (former League of Ireland Head Coach and current Director of Football at Belvedere FC, Paul Smyth (Football Director at Home Farm FC) and myself discuss and share coaching tips and nuggets picked up over the years .If you would like to suggest a future topic do so on this link. Check out  www.thegrassrootscoach.com  

This new podcast is suitable for all grassroots soccer enthusiasts.  Whether you are a coach, volunteer, or parent, there is something here for you! We'd appreciate your support! https://buymeacoffee.com/thegrassrootscoach