Feature: Keith Coffey - Shamrock Rovers Women Under17s Head Coach

Everybody's speaking about the team like they're the Harlem Globetrotters. Saying that me and Terry (Gleeson) are ‘Pep and Jose’ and stuff like that, but we're not. Results-wise and consequence-wise, yeah we're sitting here with two trophies. That's brilliant. But there were games that didn't go our way this season. We scored a few last-minute winners - which you need to do in a season anyway because that's part of the journey… but there have also been massive learnings to take from this season.

Header image Credit: Magda Stelmaszek

Three.

The number of conversations both myself and Women's Under 17s Shamrock Rovers Head Coach Keith Coffey will have had in 2024 - this being the third.

Coincidentally, it’s also the number of trophies the twenty-six year old Lucan native has pocketed (with the support of Assistant Coach Terry Gleeson, JP Owens, and a number of other key Rovers staff) in his first full year as Head Coach - both with The Hoops and as foreman of the Leinster U15s.

A busy year?

“Ah I’m wrecked Chris.” Coffey announces, “I don’t even know where the trophies are! It's great for the teams but for me they are just consolation prizes for not getting to coach these girls anymore. It’s not the trophies themselves that matter really, it's what comes with it - like that night in Tallaght.”

The aforementioned?

A European night to remember for the West Dublin native and his squad - the UEFA Conference League clash between Shamrock Rovers and the New Saints providing the perfect stage on which to parade their league and cup double loot.

“It was amazing. Unbelievable memories,” Coffey reflects. “Sure the girls were singing Adele all week - I couldn't get them to kick a ball. I'm just so grateful to them, I'm so grateful to their parents and for everything they sacrificed during the season, I'm so grateful to all the coaches, really, like, they're just memories we'll never ever forget.”

Credit: Robert Goggins

It was a classy gesture from the club - an important nod of recognition not only for the Under 17s, but for their Head Coach himself.

“The season as a whole has been a kind of validation, really, for me.” He tells me, “You know, that you can have a high performance environment while also having a very caring one.

“Every player is seen as an individual here, you know. They are their own people. They're not just commodities.”

The Under 17s Rovers Women deserved their moment under the floodlights.

Losing just two games, the 2007 borns were prolific in attack and solid in defence, netting an estimated one hundred goals across all competitions.

Yet as we reflect on the season further, I learn that their campaign was not without adversity - a string of injuries contributing to a 4-3 loss against their Dublin rivals Shelbourne.

“There were trials and tribulations both on and off the pitch,” Coffey acknowledges. “But when we lost the game, our conversation was ‘what could we have done better as coaches?’ Look, I know we were hurt for injuries, and I know there was loads of stuff like that and everything. But after both games I apologised to the players. There were things in both games where the coaches could have done stuff better. I think that's what the best coaches do, they use those losses as lessons. And even with all our injuries, maybe we could start reflecting on beyond that week. In terms of say, how did we get to that point? How did we only have X amount of players fit in the squad?”

A minor setback - The young Hoops would push on, winning the league by a country mile and defeating Athlone Town 5-1 in the FAI Cup final.

Yet despite the backdrop of success that frames our conversation, I detect an undertone of sadness in the secondary school teacher's voice as our conversation continues.

“Ah there’s a fair few who are aging up you know,” Coffey explains, “It's a bit emotional to talk about to be honest.”

Having witnessed the camaraderie shared between the Under 17s and their coaching staff at The Roadstone Academy, Coffey's admission does not surprise me - nor his willingness to be vulnerable.

Like Pep Guardiola himself, Keith Coffey is a special one.

“Obviously with the boys at Peamount,” He says, “I stepped through the age groups with the lads. Then last year, me and Terry came in halfway through the season, and there was a crop of 2006-born kids that aged out at the end of that season.

“And look, we had a great relationship with those kids, and it was brilliant, but for the 2007-born kids, they've been there since me and Terry came in, so they've done half a season plus a full season with us. So yeah… this is really the first smack of the hammer.”

The weight of the 2007 born's impending departures sits heavy across the wire.

“Don't get me wrong now,” Coffey qualifies, “I had a conversation with one of the players yesterday, and I said, look, I just want you to know that no matter what, if you need me to look at video for you, if you need a one-to-one session in the summer when I'm off, if you need advice, if you need anything, just because we don't directly coach you anymore it doesn't mean we stop caring about you. We signed that contract for life. At the end of the day, that's our job - to get them from point C to B. The next challenge for me and Terry is to learn to let go!”

With Christmas on the horizon and a bagful of treasure to boot, I assume (incorrectly) that the Rovers foreman has a stretch of downtime ahead.

A knowing laugh through the speaker.

“Ah stop! Everybody's saying to me ‘well done, three trophies in three weeks sure you'll have a great Christmas - they have no idea!”

I hear an unmistakable weariness in Coffey's voice, but also detect a ghost of a smile.

The irony is that for Keith Coffey, it's his unrivalled passion for coaching that simultaneously energises and fatigues the young teacher.

“Ah no look, because the player pool is so small you have to know who's coming, who's going, who's staying, what's happening,” He says. “Myself, Wayne (Ashbrook - Rovers U19s) and Terry sat down together during the week and mapped that out.

“In terms of future recruitment, I just hope that the suspension of the ETPs (Emerging Talent Programmes) won't have too much of a negative effect. It’s nearly impossible [to identify players] without it. But thankfully we have identified right up to the 2009s/2010s so that shouldn’t present as an issue until 2012/2013. And look I enjoy the scouting work but I'm still not finding this kid playing for Timbuktu FC. I wouldn't even know about her unless the word is out there…but if the word is out everybody probably knows about her anyway.”

Given the buzz surrounding the young Head Coach and his Assistant (“People are referring to me and Terry as Pep and Jose” Coffey says, and I can almost hear his eyes roll) I was curious to know if the man with the midas touch felt a pressure to deliver next season?

Coffey considers my question, before answering with conviction.

“To be honest no. I don't feel any pressure whatsoever because if I go back to when I first spoke to you, I spoke about little wins with the girls. I've won two trophies now. I know what that feels like and it's not like winning the World Cup. Ultimately it's not winning the titles that mean a lot to you, it's the memories with the girls…

“And it’s about legacy. Like I get to go now and watch some of these players and I need to do that again with another group of girls so that in 10 years time they're playing in a stadium somewhere. For me and Terry next season is about giving as many memories as we can to those kids - to look after them as best we can and develop them as best we can.”

Given that, at it's kernel, Coffey and Gleeson's role is player development, I ask the foreman to elaborate on the influence the RW senior players have had on the growth of those under The Academy umbrella.

“What gets said to me a lot is that Jess Hennessy was such a help to the girls,” Coffey confides. “It’s a shame she’s gone to be honest because she’s such a legend. Robyn Gleeson went and trained one of the weeks with the seniors and Jess Hennessy was great, explaining all the drills. I actually feel bad naming individuals because a lot of the senior players have been really good to the girls. Jaime (Thompson) and Maria (Reynolds) too. They came out of the Academy and so they understand the journey. That’s why I’m so happy to have people like Katie O’Reilly going into that first team because I know that if one of these 2009/2010 girls coming into our squad goes into that first team the first player that will look after them will be her - and Ella (Kelly.)”

Does Coffey consider the influx of Academy players into the RW first team the core metric on which his staffs developmental success should be measured?

“Look I tell the girls you're always at the mercy of the opinion of a coach,” Coffey counters, “It doesn't mean you're a bad player if you're not selected. It doesn't even mean you're the best player if you are. Ultimately if it’s a squad of 18 not all 18 of those girls will play for the Shamrock Rovers first team but for me in particular if 16 out of 18 girls for example go into a first team - whether that's DLR or Treaty, or wherever it may be, we've helped those girls.”

This season Coffey took the opportunity to observe Collie O’Neills senior squad from a unique vantage point - taking his place alongside RW LOITV commentator Dave Hanly in the announcers box.

Coffey’s technical acumen and his innate ability to communicate complex game insights in a conversational language earning him the nickname of ‘The Co Comms King.’

Was LOITV’s newest analyst nervous as the headset connector clicked into the audio jack?

“Big time…” Coffey admits, sounding grave. “My Ma was like you better not curse - so that was my main focus. Dave knows every player and has all these printouts - he’s great. So for me my role was just talking about what I saw. I really enjoy it because I get to see Katie and Ella after the game and their families. I’d like to do some more of it next season. I think it helps that I’m a coach. It’s just what I’m doing every week really.”

I’m curious to know which senior RW player has made the greatest impression on the Dubliner this season.

Aoife Kelly by any chance?

“You took the words right out of my mouth,” Coffey says, “Look if I had a team with Aoife Kelly in the midfield I’d be absolutely buzzing. She keeps the ball, switches the ball, breaks lines, makes forward runs. I love watching her. She must be so exciting to coach.

“To be fair as well, Maria (Reynolds) coming back from injury has been absolutely exceptional,” He enthuses. “It hasn’t happened by accident. She’s designed that, she’s been in the gym - she’s still in the gym even this week. She works so hard. It’s nice to see people getting back from the work they put in. Also, Joy Ralph, she’s been a good reference point for Anna Butler when we are doing one to one training sessions on hold up play. I think Joy is one of the best at just bullying the center-half, holding them off and being able to turn them.”

Time for a cheeky question.

Is managing the women’s senior team a future aspiration?

A long pause.

“I don't know Chris,” Coffey answers truthfully, “The people I speak the most to about my career are my Ma and Da. The conversation always finishes the same - just focus on now. I could have that team fall off a cliff next season - football is a fickle sport. All I need to do is focus on getting better as a coach because I’m not perfect, I can improve and I want to get better. And also, I enjoy developing players. Once I’m working with good people, in a good environment of a certain standard - I’m OK.”

As we wind down our call, Coffey tells me that a team end of season coach trip is on the horizon to Belfast.

An emotive prospect no doubt?

“Ah yeah. We will need to bring plenty of tissues,” He says, sounding uncharacteristically distant. “Eh I just want to say something too, if that's OK…”

Coffey hesitates, and I sense his emotion bubbling over the phone line.

“Yeah look, I just want to say a massive thanks to the 07 girls. They are the most talented, humble and best people in this country. They have been a pleasure to coach and genuinely, whatever happens next for them, they’re just going to be unbelievable. I just want to say thanks to those girls and their families.”

I in turn thank Keith for his time, and inevitably our conversation turns towards another type of season.

“When I'm sitting down over my Christmas dinner I'm going to be thinking oh Jesus I hope the girls are having a good Christmas,” He concludes, “I'm not going to be thinking about where the trophies are. That's what you think about - it's the connection, the human element.”

Keith Coffey, you're a gentleman.