‘She was absolutely class’ – Caroline Currid’s magic touch helps Mhaigh Cuilinn to Galway title

MAGIC TOUCH: Caroline Currid helped Mhaigh Cuilinn to Galway title. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

When Mhaigh Cuilinn captain David Wynne turned to thank management in his acceptance speech, he rattled through the management listed in the programme, while adding one more name: Caroline Currid.

“Your contributions cannot be understated,” he said, with the Frank Fox Cup right beside him. It is their third title in six years.

“Every single percent counts when the margins are this fine. Thank you so much for everything you have done to get us here this evening.”

The west Galway club suffered back-to-back county final defeats before prevailing once more on Saturday. A star-studded Salthill-Knocknacarra side were denied by two points at Pearse Stadium.

There had been speculation locally that renowned sports psychologist Caroline Currid was working with the club this year. Currid has a remarkable record, having been involved with All-Ireland football-winning sides in Tyrone and Dublin.

She was with the Tipperary hurlers when they claimed the Liam MacCarthy Cup and was a crucial part of Limerick’s five All-Irelands under John Kiely.

Currid was absent the three times Limerick were unsuccessful in their All-Ireland bids, in 2019, 2024 and 2025.

“Caroline was involved with us this year in a light-touch way in the background,” said manager Cathal Clancy post-match.

“It was through a family friend of hers, Henry Lydon, one of our selectors. She came several times throughout the year and did work on mindset, on unity, stuff like that.”

Last summer, Paul O’Connell brought Currid on to his Ireland coaching staff for their summer mini-tour against Georgia and Portugal. The Munster legend worked with Currid during his playing career.

Clancy continued: “I have to say, she was absolutely class. For me personally, I got a lot of background help from her. For the team as well, Caroline is not involved in teams at the moment, so it was not as though she was there the whole time, but she had a light touch impact on the background.

"Small in quantity, huge in quality and impact.”