New London boss Ciaran Deely set to benefit from all-star Indian experience
The 32-year-old is the current fitness coach with Kerala Blasters, who are managed by former Irish international Terry Phelan.
Deely will commence the London role vacated by Paul Coggins when the ISL concludes in December.
The Horeswood native played on the Wexford team beaten by Tyrone in the 2008 All-Ireland SFC semi-final and has since built a career in sports management. Last season he was part of the backroom team at QPR, where he worked as a strength-and-conditioning coach. He also held a concurrent coaching role with London.
Speaking to the from Calcutta airport, where his team were travelling to play North East United, he said: “When I left London, I didn’t think I’d be coming back, but then Paul [Coggins] called me to say he was leaving and it felt like a chance to work again with a fantastic group of players; to continue where we left off last season.”
As fitness coach with the Kerala Blasters, Deely has grown accustomed to match-day attendances in excess of 60,000 in a league speckled with marquee names from the world of soccer. Against this backdrop, why did he choose to accept London’s offer? “The league here finishes in December, so it was a four-month contract and it appealed to me because it was a different role.
“I worked on sports science in QPR, am the fitness coach with the Kerala Blasters and now this is a chance to manage. I’m not motivated by money.”
Deely also worked closely with former England caretaker boss Peter Taylor at Kerala when he first signed, but it’s former Irish full-back Phelan that he cites as his biggest influence.
“Terry Phelan is probably my best friend out here,” he said. “I’ve spoken to him about the decision and he supports it. Terry’s style is that you have to enjoy everything you do and that fits with my ethos. I’ve learned a lot from how big groups are managed.”
Speaking about his ambitions for London, and the constraints on his position, he said: “The county board have been great. It isn’t a set-up where you’re going to have lots of money to spend but it’s how you train and a professional attitude. I’ve strong people coming in with me from QPR and I feel that we can improve every player. London got a win and a draw in the league last year and were beaten in a Connacht championship. I’d be aiming to improve on that.”
