Liam Bradley
Encyclopedia
Liam Bradley; commonly known by his nickname Baker, is an Irish
Gaelic football
manager
. He is currently manager of the Antrim
senior football team, having been appointed in October 2008.
won two Ulster Championship
medals with Derry in 1975 and 1976. His cousin Colm Rafferty won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
with Derry in 1993
.
He is father of Derry players Paddy
and Eoin Bradley
. He is also an uncle to Glenullin and Derry player Gerard O'Kane
.
's plans when he became manager - he holds no grudges saying "That is just the way it goes". His senior career was mainly limited to a few Dr. McKenna Cup games. He recalls "I never really cut it at senior with Derry as in the early '80s I was just down the pecking order a bit".
, didn't have any underage teams at the time due to a lack of population in the area. He instead played for neighbouring club Pádraig Pearse's GAC Kilrea
. His team-mates on the Kilrea team included a young Martin O'Neill
, who would go on to play and coach professional soccer. He played in an Under 16 final against Glack
in 1974.
He however played for Glenullin at Senior level and enjoyed a long career with them. He won the Derry Senior Football Championship with the club in 1985. He retired from playing in 1996 at the age of 36, he even played in the Reserve Championship semi-final against Dungiven
that year alongside his son Paddy.
final against Abbey C.B.S., Newry
. It was the first time the school had won the competition - the most important in Ulster Colleges football.
priest
of Kilrea
at the time. He described him as "a great GAA man" and one of the first people to introduce him to Gaelic football.
Bradley also hails Ballinderry's Adrian McGuckin as an inspirational influence, who taught him most of what he knows about coaching football. McGuckin was manager when Bradley won a MacRory Cup playing with St. Pat's in 1977. He says "Adrian was a brilliant man. He was probably the greatest coach I ever played under, or the greatest coach I've ever seen". He continued "Adrian installed a will to win with us that was unbelievable".
when Richard Ferris
was manager. and has also been manager of John Mitchel's GAC Claudy
between 2002 and 2004. Bradley took over as manager of home-club Glenullin
in 2005, and guided them to success in the 2007 Derry Championship
, where they beat Bellaghy in the final after a replay. It was Glenullin's first victorious Championship since 1985. He also led them to victory in the Ulster Club Football League
earlier that year. He was manager of Banagher
in 2008.
was manager of the Derry minor team, he brought Bradley in as coach / joint manager. And along with Ferris he has managed Derry
Under 21s in the past. He applied for the Derry Senior manager's job in late 2004 for the 2005 season, but the role eventually went to Mickey Moran. He was also involved in the Derry Senior set-up for a season under manager Paddy Crozier
. Bradley was a selector in 2006, but stood down from the role in February 2007, stating he wanted to concentrate on managing Glenullin. He applied for the vacant Derry job in 2008, with the position eventually going to Damian Cassidy
.
, Bradley applied for the vacant Antrim
senior football manager's job. Interviews for the position were held on Wednesday 22 October, and a day later the Antrim County Board secretary Frankie Quinn released a statement stating Bradley had been installed as new Antrim manager for three years, subject to an annual review. Also applying for the job were Brian White, Frank Delargy and Conor MacSherry. Bradley commented "I wanted he job because I see a lot of potential in Antrim," and went on to say "But I am under no illusions about the work me and my backroom team will have to do." Bradley has chosen Niall Conway of the Ballinderry club in Derry as his assistant manager. Conway guided the Derry minor team to the finals of both the Ulster Minor
and All-Ireland Minor Championships
in 2007 and Bradley described him as "one of the best young coaches in Ulster". His other selector will be Paddy McNeill of Rasharkin, and Creggan's Tony McCollum will serve as liaison officer. The new physio will be Patrina Scullion.
Bradley's first season in charge of Antrim was seen as a hughly successful one. He stated their aim at the start of the year was to gain promotion from Division 4 of the National Football League
. Antrim achieved this feat by going undefeated and finishing top of Division 4. Along with second-placed Sligo
they qualified for the National League Division 4 final. They were defeated in the final.
The 2009 Championship
was Antrim's best in many years. Against the odds they defeated both Donegal
and Cavan
to qualify for the county's first Ulster Championship
final
in 39 years. Antrim were aiming to win their first Ulster title since 1951. They were beaten in the decider by reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone
, but Antrim gained a lot of admiration for their performance in the match. They exited the Championship following a defeat to Kerry
in Round 4 of the Qualifiers. Contrary to most predictions (Kerry were expected to win comfortably), the game was very close and Antrim were unfortunate not to win.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
manager
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
. He is currently manager of the Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
senior football team, having been appointed in October 2008.
Personal life
Bradley comes from a family with a strong footballing background. Two of his uncles, James and Paddy Rafferty had played for Derry. When Bradley won the Derry Championship with Glenullin in 1985, five of his brothers were also on the team. His brother GabrielGabriel Bradley
Gabriel Bradley is an Irish retired Gaelic footballer who played for Derry in the 1970s and 1980s. He won two Ulster Senior Football Championships with the county...
won two Ulster Championship
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
medals with Derry in 1975 and 1976. His cousin Colm Rafferty won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
with Derry in 1993
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1993
-All-Ireland Football Final:-Top championship scorer:...
.
He is father of Derry players Paddy
Paddy Bradley
Patrick 'Paddy' Bradley is a Gaelic footballer from County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, who plays for Derry. With the team he has won two National League titles, and individually an All Star Award for his performance in the 2007 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship .Bradley plays his club...
and Eoin Bradley
Eoin Bradley
Eoin Bradley is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Derry, with whom he has won a National League title.Bradley plays his club football for John Mitchel's GAC Glenullin and has won a Derry Senior Football Championship with the club....
. He is also an uncle to Glenullin and Derry player Gerard O'Kane
Gerard O'Kane
Gerard O'Kane is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Derry, with whom he has won a National League title.O'Kane plays his club football for John Mitchel's Glenullin and has won a Derry Senior Football Championship with the club...
.
Inter-county
Bradley has represented Derry at Minor, Under 21 and Senior levels. He was drafted into the Senior panel by Frankie O'Loan and Harry Shivers. He however wasn't part of Mickey MoranMickey Moran
Mickey Moran is a retired footballer and currently a manager. He played inter-county football for Derry in the 1970s and early 1980s. He played his club football for Watty Graham's Glen....
's plans when he became manager - he holds no grudges saying "That is just the way it goes". His senior career was mainly limited to a few Dr. McKenna Cup games. He recalls "I never really cut it at senior with Derry as in the early '80s I was just down the pecking order a bit".
Club
When Bradley was growing up, his home-club GlenullinGlenullin GAC
John Mitchel's GAC Glenullin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Glenullin, County Londonderry - a valley near Garvagh, partly coinciding with the parish of Errigal. The club is a member of the Derry GAA. They currently cater for both Gaelic football and Camogie...
, didn't have any underage teams at the time due to a lack of population in the area. He instead played for neighbouring club Pádraig Pearse's GAC Kilrea
Kilrea GAC
Pádraig Pearse's GAC Kilrea is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Kilrea, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for both Gaelic football and Camogie...
. His team-mates on the Kilrea team included a young Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
, who would go on to play and coach professional soccer. He played in an Under 16 final against Glack
Glack GAC
O'Connor's GAC Glack is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Glack/Ballykelly area in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for Gaelic football and Camogie....
in 1974.
He however played for Glenullin at Senior level and enjoyed a long career with them. He won the Derry Senior Football Championship with the club in 1985. He retired from playing in 1996 at the age of 36, he even played in the Reserve Championship semi-final against Dungiven
Dungiven GAC
St. Canice's GAC Dungiven is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. They currently cater for Gaelic football and Ladies' Gaelic football. The hurling club in the town is Kevin Lynch's....
that year alongside his son Paddy.
School
Bradley played full back when St. Pat's, Maghera won the 1977 MacRory CupMacRory Cup
The MacRory Cup is an inter-college Gaelic football tournament in Ulster. It is staged every year with the stipulation that players must be under eighteen-and-a-half at the start of the tournament...
final against Abbey C.B.S., Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
. It was the first time the school had won the competition - the most important in Ulster Colleges football.
Early managerial influences
When playing underage football for Kilrea, he played under Father Leo Deery, the parishParish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
of Kilrea
Kilrea
Kilrea is a village and townland in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is near the River Bann, which marks the boundary between County Londonderry and County Antrim...
at the time. He described him as "a great GAA man" and one of the first people to introduce him to Gaelic football.
Bradley also hails Ballinderry's Adrian McGuckin as an inspirational influence, who taught him most of what he knows about coaching football. McGuckin was manager when Bradley won a MacRory Cup playing with St. Pat's in 1977. He says "Adrian was a brilliant man. He was probably the greatest coach I ever played under, or the greatest coach I've ever seen". He continued "Adrian installed a will to win with us that was unbelievable".
Club management
By the early 1980s, despite only being in his early 20s, Bradley was part of Glenullin's underage management team with Danny McIlvar and Gerard O'Kane. He says "That's when I started coaching and it's just progressed from there. His first stint as Senior manager of Glenullin came in the late 1980s, when both he and Gerard O'Kane were player-managers. He coached St. Matthew's GAC DrumsurnDrumsurn GAC
St. Matthew's GAC Drumsurn is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Drumsurn, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for Gaelic football and Camogie....
when Richard Ferris
Richard Ferris
Richard Ferris was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England in 1640.Ferris was born at Barnstaple, the son of Philip Ferris and his wife Thomasyn Cade....
was manager. and has also been manager of John Mitchel's GAC Claudy
Claudy GAC
John Mitchel's GAC Claudy is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Claudy, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. They are a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for Gaelic football. The club is named after Irish patriot and revolutionary John Mitchel.Claudy fields Gaelic football...
between 2002 and 2004. Bradley took over as manager of home-club Glenullin
Glenullin GAC
John Mitchel's GAC Glenullin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Glenullin, County Londonderry - a valley near Garvagh, partly coinciding with the parish of Errigal. The club is a member of the Derry GAA. They currently cater for both Gaelic football and Camogie...
in 2005, and guided them to success in the 2007 Derry Championship
Derry Senior Football Championship 2007
- Match day 2 :----- Section 2 :- Match day 1 :----- Match day 2 :----- Match day 3 :----- Section 3 :- Match day 1 :----- Match day 2 :----- Match day 3 :----- Section 4 :- Match day 1 :----- Match day 2 :----...
, where they beat Bellaghy in the final after a replay. It was Glenullin's first victorious Championship since 1985. He also led them to victory in the Ulster Club Football League
Ulster Senior Club Football League
The Ulster Senior Club Football League is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between a number of clubs in Ulster. It starts with a group stage, with the group winners advancing to the knockout stage...
earlier that year. He was manager of Banagher
Banagher GAC
St Mary's Banagher GAC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Feeny / Park area of County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA. Banagher is a dual club and currently cater for Gaelic football, Hurling and Camogie...
in 2008.
Inter-county management
Derry roles
When Richard FerrisRichard Ferris
Richard Ferris was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England in 1640.Ferris was born at Barnstaple, the son of Philip Ferris and his wife Thomasyn Cade....
was manager of the Derry minor team, he brought Bradley in as coach / joint manager. And along with Ferris he has managed Derry
Derry GAA
The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
Under 21s in the past. He applied for the Derry Senior manager's job in late 2004 for the 2005 season, but the role eventually went to Mickey Moran. He was also involved in the Derry Senior set-up for a season under manager Paddy Crozier
Paddy Crozier
Paddy Crozier is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player who managed Derry between 2006 and 2008, guiding the county to a National League title. He has also managed a number of club teams and Derry underage teams. Crozier currently manages Omagh St. Enda's...
. Bradley was a selector in 2006, but stood down from the role in February 2007, stating he wanted to concentrate on managing Glenullin. He applied for the vacant Derry job in 2008, with the position eventually going to Damian Cassidy
Damian Cassidy
Damian Cassidy is an Irish retired Gaelic footballer and a former manager.He played for Derry in the 1980s and 1990s and was part of the county's 1993 All-Ireland Championship winning side, starting at left half forward. He also won two Ulster Senior Championship medals, three National League...
.
Antrim Seniors
Shortly before the nomination deadline of 17 October 2008, on the advice of his sons Paddy and Eoin, "good friend" Richard Ferris and Tony ScullionTony Scullion
Tony Scullion is a former Irish dual player who played Gaelic football and hurling with Derry in the 1980s and 1990s. He is chiefly known as a footballer and was part of Derry's 1993 All-Ireland Championship winning side, also winning Ulster Senior Football Championships in 1987 and 1993...
, Bradley applied for the vacant Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
senior football manager's job. Interviews for the position were held on Wednesday 22 October, and a day later the Antrim County Board secretary Frankie Quinn released a statement stating Bradley had been installed as new Antrim manager for three years, subject to an annual review. Also applying for the job were Brian White, Frank Delargy and Conor MacSherry. Bradley commented "I wanted he job because I see a lot of potential in Antrim," and went on to say "But I am under no illusions about the work me and my backroom team will have to do." Bradley has chosen Niall Conway of the Ballinderry club in Derry as his assistant manager. Conway guided the Derry minor team to the finals of both the Ulster Minor
Ulster Minor Football Championship
The Ulster Minor Football Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Ulster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Ulster Council. The trophy for the winning side is The Liam Murray Cup. The competition began in 1930, with...
and All-Ireland Minor Championships
All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
The All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
in 2007 and Bradley described him as "one of the best young coaches in Ulster". His other selector will be Paddy McNeill of Rasharkin, and Creggan's Tony McCollum will serve as liaison officer. The new physio will be Patrina Scullion.
Bradley's first season in charge of Antrim was seen as a hughly successful one. He stated their aim at the start of the year was to gain promotion from Division 4 of the National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
. Antrim achieved this feat by going undefeated and finishing top of Division 4. Along with second-placed Sligo
Sligo GAA
The Sligo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Sligo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Sligo...
they qualified for the National League Division 4 final. They were defeated in the final.
The 2009 Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2009
The 2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship is the inter-county Gaelic football tournament played between 31 counties of Ireland, London and New York. The draw for the 2009 championship took place on October 9, 2008. The tournament kicked off on May 10, 2009...
was Antrim's best in many years. Against the odds they defeated both Donegal
Donegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
and Cavan
Cavan GAA
The Cavan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Cavan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Cavan...
to qualify for the county's first Ulster Championship
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
final
Ulster Senior Football Championship 2009
The Ulster Senior Football Championship 2009 will be the 2009 installment of the annual Ulster Senior Football Championship run by the Ulster GAA. The winners will receive the Anglo-Celt Cup. The winners will automatically advance to the quarter-final stage of the 2009 All-Ireland Championship...
in 39 years. Antrim were aiming to win their first Ulster title since 1951. They were beaten in the decider by reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
, but Antrim gained a lot of admiration for their performance in the match. They exited the Championship following a defeat to Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
in Round 4 of the Qualifiers. Contrary to most predictions (Kerry were expected to win comfortably), the game was very close and Antrim were unfortunate not to win.