Ballinrobe native accepted on to 2020/22 UEFA Pro Licence Course
Ballinrobe native Alan Murphy is one of 20 coaches who have been accepted on to the 2020/22 UEFA Pro Licence course that will be run by the Football Association of Ireland.
Alan, who is first team manager of Galway United, is one of nine coaches currently working in the SSE Airtricity League, while two of the other participants are managing in the Women’s National League, three are involved with Republic of Ireland international teams, and the others are thriving in their respective careers further afield.
Murphy, a midfielder, became Galway United’s all-time leading scorer in 2018 when he scored his 75th league goal for the club against Cobh Ramblers.
He began his League of Ireland career at Eamonn Deacy Park and quickly established himself as a first team regular. Under Tony Mannion in 2003, Murphy enjoyed what was possibly his standout season with the club, scoring 21 league goals in the First Division.
He spent time at Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Mervue United before playing for Galway junior side West United. In 2018 he rejoined United as a player before being appointed first team manager in July of that year.
The full list of 2020/22 UEFA Pro Licence participants is: Tim Clancy, Dan Connor, Carlo Cudicini, Kevin Doherty, Daire Doyle, Tom Elmes, Anthony Hayes, Ruairdhi Higgins, Denis Hyland, Graham Kelly, Andy Keogh, Ian Morris, Alan Murphy, John O’Shea, Sean O’Shea, Aidan Price, Matthew Ross, John Russell, Ian Ryan, James Scott.
FAI high performance director Ruud Dokter feels that Irish football will gain from having more highly-skilled coaches complete their education and transfer that knowledge back to the players that they work with on a daily basis.
He said: “The UEFA Pro Licence is the highest coaching certification in Europe and is recognised all around the world. Its holder is amongst a select group of the very best coaches. It is fantastic to have 20 excellent participants come through the application process to be part of our next group, and I would like to congratulate them and wish them the very best of luck.”
In total, 90 coaches applied for the course, with 35 coaches completing the theory exams and interview process. The course will be delivered with contact blocks over an 18-month period, which will include international club visits, a study visit to UEFA HQ, and individual club assessments.
The calibre of coaches coming through the FAI coach education system continues to improve, with 92 UEFA A Licence coaches, 78 UEFA B Licence coaches, and 36 UEFA Elite Youth A Licence coaches all graduating in 2019.
This latest UEFA Pro Licence course had an individual online induction last week, with the group set to get together for the first block in November 2020.