Child Safety & Accreditation

All our coaches uphold the Coaches Code of Conduct and prioritise safety, development and fairness.

Best Practices for Underage Coaching include:

-Promote fair play and positive reinforcement

-Ensure equal game time — especially for younger kids

-Avoid excessive training or competition

-Focus on confidence, skills, and participation

-Rotate roles and positions to ensure a balanced experience

Every coach is encouraged to complete the Introduction to Coaching Gaelic Games course, covering:

Being a Coach – roles and responsibilities

How to Coach – engaging young players

Planning – age-appropriate, inclusive session design

Meet Some of
Our Coaches

These are the faces of Gaelic Games in NSW — mentors, parents, players and community leaders giving their time and heart to grow Gaelic from the ground up.

Declan Mcgarry

Moved to Sydney 2011. My

home club is Ballaghaderreen Co Roscommon, ( some would have argument for Mayo).

I have played all ages from U10 through to senior in Mayo football with a short career in Bondi Gaels.

I began coaching with under 5 soccer and recently Under 7/9s with the GAA, and am looking forward to the upcoming GAA season and motivated to get back into coaching to develop the new players of GAA in Australia.

Seamus DePaor

I have lived in Australia for over 20 years now and call the Sutherland Shire home, but I’m originally from the Gaelthactha, An cheathrú Rua, Co Galway.

I grew up speaking Gaelic and playing Gaelic football from underage to senior county level for the An Cheathru Rua, living and loving the game from a young age.

I’m excited to get involved with this program and passing on some of the skills and culture that have been such a fond part of my life.

cuid mhór díom fós é an cluiche

Richard Lacey

I am from Dublin and my club in Tallaght is Thomas Davis.

I've been in Sydney since 2012 where I joined Clan Na Gael, playing first, but due to injury ended up coaching the men's team for 3 years.

I'm now coaching my son's under-10 soccer team, St Pat's in Sutherland. Looking forward to coaching the next generation of GAA all stars.

Claire McGill

I’m from Erin’s Own Lavey, Co. Derry. I currently play camogie and I’m Secretary for Cormac McAllens GAC, Sydney.

I coached under-8 camogie when I lived in Ireland and have since help coach the NSW GAA youth camps.

I’ve been in Sydney since 2019 (almost 6 years).

Coaching Philosophy

At Youth GAA NSW, we believe that coaching is about more than sport — it’s about guiding children through joyful movement, cultural connection and community.

We follow a Child-Centred Coaching Philosophy, developed in partnership with ICOACHKIDS, a global initiative focused on creating positive sporting experiences.

“What do they need from me now?”
This question is at the heart of how our coaches approach every game, every training session, every child.

Our focus is always on:
Fun
Safety
Inclusiveness
Love for play and sport

Coach Development Pathway

Coaching is a journey — and we support our team at every step.

Gaelic Games Coach Pathway

Built around three pillars: The Player, The Game, The Environment, this pathway mirrors the GAA Player Pathway and adapts to each coaching stage:

Nursery / Go Games / Youth
Bite-sized, modular learning
Access through the TOBAR Learning Hub

Coach Developer Program

For experienced coaches, the GAA’s Coach Developer Programme empowers leaders to mentor others and deliver training.

Key responsibilities include:

Facilitating workshops and mentoring new coaches
Supporting schools and clubs in coach development
Providing feedback and quality assurance via the TOBAR system

This program is now expanding globally, including Australasia, where 18 coach developer trainees were recently selected. Members of our Sydney team — including SJ and Michael — have completed this training and are now mentoring our newest coaching group.

Become a Coach

Joe McGinity

Joe is originally from Thomas Davis GAA Club in Dublin where he played Gaelic Football.

He has a passion for GAA and Coaching - with several years coaching experience across Gaelic Football, AFL and Soccer.

Joe previously coached Clan Na Gael Ladies to a League and Championship Double.

Anthony Barron

I’m Anthony Barron, originally from Charleville, Co. Cork, and I’ve been living in Sydney for the past 13 years.

Hurling has always been a huge part of my life, both growing up in Ireland and here in Australia.

I’ve been involved in the sport for many years and love sharing my experience with young players. As a coach, my focus is on creating a fun, supportive environment where kids can build skills, grow in confidence, and develop a real love for the game. I’m proud to be part of their hurling journey and help keep our great sport alive and thriving.

Selina Mckillen-Hasson

Originally from Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, Selina has been involved in camogie since the age of six and played through to senior level. She moved to Sydney in January 2015 and played with Cormac McAnallens before taking a step back to raise her son, Michael.

At home, she coached U12s and U14s for several years, and she’s now enjoying the fun and challenge of coaching the U3s, U4s and U5s.

Selina is passionate about helping young children develop their skills and confidence, and she’s looking forward to a vibrant new GAA season with Youth GAA NSW.

Gearoid Byrne

Originally from Clonakenny, Co. Tipperary, I represented Tipperary at minor football and U21 hurling level.

I moved to Sydney in 2010, where I continued my playing career with Sydney Shamrocks (hurling) and Bondi Gaels (football).

Before moving to Australia, I gained coaching experience in camogie in Ireland. In 2024, I returned to Ireland for a year and was actively involved in coaching U7 hurling and football, further deepening my commitment to youth development in Gaelic games.

Niamh Burke

Originally from Kildare — best known for short grass, football and ground hurling — I last lined out for Rathcoffey Camogie Club in 2010 before making the move to Sydney.

I spent a few seasons as a super sub with Clan na Gael before shifting focus to family life. A beginner coach with big dreams, I’m now guiding my 7-year-old twin boys and their teammates, with one eye on an All-Ireland and maybe even a Six Nations win.

I’ve been in Sydney nearly 15 years — 14 years longer than planned, thanks to being kidnapped by an Aussie on a “one-year trip.”

Kevin Quinlan

Kevin Quinlan is a dedicated hurling coach with Young Irelands GAA Club in Kilkenny, bringing passion and commitment to the development of players across all age levels. He played a key coaching role in guiding the club’s Under-21 team to victory as 2023 Kilkenny Roinn B County Champions. In 2024, Kevin took on coaching responsibilities for the Under-16 squad, building on his deep involvement in youth development.

Kevin has also been instrumental at the grassroots level, working with Under-6 to Under-9 players to instill core skills, confidence, and a love for the game from an early age. His approach blends discipline, encouragement, and a strong emphasis on team spirit, helping to nurture the next generation of hurlers in Kilkenny.

Jenny O’Brien

I'm thrilled to be part of the Youth GAA NSW coaching team!
Born and raised in Ahane, Limerick, Gaelic games are in my blood. Camogie has always been my go-to, with a bit of football now and then!

Staying involved with the GAA community through McAnallens, both as a player and coach over the years in Sydne,y has been brilliant.

That phase has ended, and now I’m loving the chance to coach and share my passion with my own kids and others across NSW.

Patrick Ferris

I am from the Drumquin Wolfe Tones Club in Tyrone.

I played Gaelic Football for close to 20 years, from Under-10s to senior.

I have been coaching my son's soccer team for the past four years and have recently been coaching at the NSW kids GAA camps.

I look forward to helping coach the next generation of Sydney Gaels!

Our Coaches

These are the faces helping Gaelic grow —
through fun, fairness and the
love of the game.

Become a Coach Today