Paul Caffrey
Encyclopedia
Paul Caffrey is a former Dublin
Gaelic football
Senior manager and a Dublin-based Garda
.
His football career began in St. Vincents CBS school in Glasnevin
and nearby club Na Fianna. Caffrey represented his county at minor and senior level, and is a brother of John Caffrey
, who won a senior All-Ireland medal in 1983
.
Caffrey is a member of An Garda Síochána and is stationed at Store St. Garda Station, Dublin.
and Paddy Canning when Tommy Lyons
was manager of the Dublin football team between from 2001 to 2004. During this period, Dublin won one Leinster senior, two Leinster under-21 and one All-Ireland under-21 titles. Previous to his involvement with Dublin, Caffrey was manager of Dublin club side Na Fianna, reaching the All-Ireland Club Final in 2000, where they lost to Crossmaglen Rangers
of Armagh
.
Caffrey succeeded Tommy Lyons
as Dublin manager in November 2004. He worked with David Billings, Paul Clarke
and Brian Talty
as his management team for a three-year period. In his first year as manager he took Dublin to their 45th Leinster
Senior Football Championship title in 2005. He repeated this feat against Offaly
in the 2006 Leinster Senior Football Championship final and went on to take Dublin to the All-Ireland semi-final, where Dublin were narrowly beaten by Mayo
. Caffrey received a one match ban for shouldering Mayo's John Morrison before the All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo
in Croke Park
. That meant that he had to watch Dublin's opening 2007 game in the Championship from the stands.
Dublin had a winning start to 2007, taking the O'Byrne Cup
with a 1–18 to 2–13 win over Leinster rivals Laois in the final. The 2007
NFL
brought mixed fortunes for Caffrey. Dublin were defeated in their first game in Croke Park under floodlights against Tyrone
and went on to narrowly defeat Limerick
in the second game with a bad performance. The third game was another defeat for Dublin which was followed by a one-sided victory over Cork. Caffrey's Dublin team finished in fifth position in the national football league and were therefore relegated to Division Two for 2008.
In Caffrey's first Championship game as manager in 2007, Dublin drew with Meath
. Dublin eventually won the tie in a replay by beating Meath
by 0–16 to 0–12 and thus qualified to play Offaly
in the Leinster semi-final
. Caffrey's decision to replace Tomás Quinn
with Mark Vaughan
as the freetaker proved the vital difference between the sides. Dublin's 1–12 to 0–10 victory sent them into the Leinster final against Laois
. Dublin won the Leinster championship by 3–14 to 1–14 points, giving Caffrey a 100% record in Leinster for three years. Dublin played Derry
in the quarter final of the all-Ireland series and won the game by 0–18 to 0–15 to set up a semi final against Kerry
for the first time since 1977
. They lost that game on a 1–15 to 0–16 scoreline.
After the 2007 season, Pillar was offered a one-year extension to his contract for 2008 to take him into his fourth year as Dublin boss. However despite securing promotion to Division One and winning a fourth Leinster title, Caffrey resigned in the aftermath of Dublin's 12-point defeat in the All Ireland quarter-final against Tyrone.
In September, 2009, Caffrey was selected as the successor to Val Andrews
as the manager of Leinster
interprovincial championship for entry in the Martin Donnelly Cup.
and Joe Kernan
were touted as front runners. Both however ruled themselves out. Finally Pat Gilroy
succeeded Caffrey.
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
Senior manager and a Dublin-based Garda
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
.
Biographical Information
Caffrey grew up on Dorset St. on the Northside of Dublin, where his parents ran a greengrocers' shop. He is often called Pillar, 'a nickname bizarrely derived from his penchant for playing with caterpillars and killing them when he was a child.'His football career began in St. Vincents CBS school in Glasnevin
Glasnevin
Glasnevin is a largely residential neighbourhood of Dublin, Ireland.-Geography:A mainly residential neighbourhood, it is located on the Northside of the city of Dublin . It was originally established on the northern bank of the River Tolka...
and nearby club Na Fianna. Caffrey represented his county at minor and senior level, and is a brother of John Caffrey
John Caffrey (footballer)
John Caffrey is an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winning Gaelic football player who played for Dublin and CLG Na Fianna. John won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medal with Dublin in 1983. John is the brother of the previous Dublin senior football manager, Paul Caffrey...
, who won a senior All-Ireland medal in 1983
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1983
The 1983 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was won by Dublin in a final that was contested with Galway. The final was played at Croke Park with a packed attendance of 71,988. The final finished on a scoreline of 1-10 to 1-08 in Dublin's favour. The final proved to be quite a controversial...
.
Caffrey is a member of An Garda Síochána and is stationed at Store St. Garda Station, Dublin.
Managerial career
Caffrey was a co-selector along with Dave BillingsDave Billings
Dave Billings is a former selector for the Dublin senior football team. He works under the management of Paul Caffrey along with his co-selectors Brian Talty and Paul Clarke. Dave was previously a co-selector along with Paul Caffrey and Paddy Canning when Tommy Lyons was manager of the Dublin...
and Paddy Canning when Tommy Lyons
Tommy Lyons
Tommy Lyons is a retired Irish Gaelic football manager from County Mayo who has managed 2 inter-county sides in his time. He also managed club side Kilmacud Crokes to All-Ireland glory on St. Patricks Day, 1995. He also spent time as chairman of Crokes, until 2007. He is also a regular...
was manager of the Dublin football team between from 2001 to 2004. During this period, Dublin won one Leinster senior, two Leinster under-21 and one All-Ireland under-21 titles. Previous to his involvement with Dublin, Caffrey was manager of Dublin club side Na Fianna, reaching the All-Ireland Club Final in 2000, where they lost to Crossmaglen Rangers
Crossmaglen Rangers
Crossmaglen Rangers G.A.C is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Armagh, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. They cater for Gaelic football and camogie. Their home football ground is St. Oliver Plunkett Park which was opened in 1959...
of Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
.
Caffrey succeeded Tommy Lyons
Tommy Lyons
Tommy Lyons is a retired Irish Gaelic football manager from County Mayo who has managed 2 inter-county sides in his time. He also managed club side Kilmacud Crokes to All-Ireland glory on St. Patricks Day, 1995. He also spent time as chairman of Crokes, until 2007. He is also a regular...
as Dublin manager in November 2004. He worked with David Billings, Paul Clarke
Paul Clarke
Paul Clarke is an All Star winning former Gaelic footballer for Dublin. He played football with his local club Whitehall Colmcille in Dublin and was a member of the Dublin senior football team for a number of years, starting in 1985...
and Brian Talty
Brian Talty
Brian Talty is the current manager of Dublin GAA club Parnells. Brian was a former selector for the Dublin Senior Football Team, he had worked with the former Dublin manager Paul Caffrey and fellow selectors David Billings and Paul Clarke....
as his management team for a three-year period. In his first year as manager he took Dublin to their 45th Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
Senior Football Championship title in 2005. He repeated this feat against Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
in the 2006 Leinster Senior Football Championship final and went on to take Dublin to the All-Ireland semi-final, where Dublin were narrowly beaten by Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
. Caffrey received a one match ban for shouldering Mayo's John Morrison before the All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
. That meant that he had to watch Dublin's opening 2007 game in the Championship from the stands.
Dublin had a winning start to 2007, taking the O'Byrne Cup
O'Byrne Cup
The O'Byrne Cup is a Gaelic football competition organised by the Leinster GAA. The competition is named after Matt O'Byrne, a former Wicklow GAA club officer. Participants include the twelve county teams and four colleges. The O'Byrne Cup 2011 champions are Kildare, who beat Louth in the final by...
with a 1–18 to 2–13 win over Leinster rivals Laois in the final. The 2007
National Football League (Ireland) 2007
The 2007 National Football League was the Gaelic football league, contested by 32 GAA counties football teams, 31 from Ireland and London from England....
NFL
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...
brought mixed fortunes for Caffrey. Dublin were defeated in their first game in Croke Park under floodlights against 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....
and went on to narrowly defeat Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
in the second game with a bad performance. The third game was another defeat for Dublin which was followed by a one-sided victory over Cork. Caffrey's Dublin team finished in fifth position in the national football league and were therefore relegated to Division Two for 2008.
In Caffrey's first Championship game as manager in 2007, Dublin drew with Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
. Dublin eventually won the tie in a replay by beating Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
by 0–16 to 0–12 and thus qualified to play Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
in the Leinster semi-final
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2007
The 2007 Bank of Ireland All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, was a Gaelic football competition in Ireland, and was the most significant and prestigious competition in the sport held that year. It began on 13 May 2007, with the final game took place for Sunday, 16 September. Kerry were the...
. Caffrey's decision to replace Tomás Quinn
Tomás Quinn
Tomás 'Mossy' Quinn is an Irish All Ireland winning Gaelic Footballer from Dublin.He is sometimes known as Mossy Quinn. He plays his club football for St. Vincents. He attended Ardscoil Rís in Marino and is the current free-taker for the Dublin Senior Football Team...
with Mark Vaughan
Mark Vaughan
Mark Vaughan is an Irish Gaelic Footballer from Dublin. Mark plays his club football with Kilmacud Crokes. He made his break into the senior Dublin squad in 2005 making his first senior championship start on June 19 against Wexford. He scored two late frees in the Leinster Quarter-Final against...
as the freetaker proved the vital difference between the sides. Dublin's 1–12 to 0–10 victory sent them into the Leinster final against Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
. Dublin won the Leinster championship by 3–14 to 1–14 points, giving Caffrey a 100% record in Leinster for three years. Dublin played 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...
in the quarter final of the all-Ireland series and won the game by 0–18 to 0–15 to set up a semi final against 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...
for the first time since 1977
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1977
The 1977 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was won by Dublin in a final that was contested with Armagh. After defeating their rivals Kerry in the semi-final, Armagh, making their 2nd ever appearance in a final, lay in wait for the Dubs...
. They lost that game on a 1–15 to 0–16 scoreline.
After the 2007 season, Pillar was offered a one-year extension to his contract for 2008 to take him into his fourth year as Dublin boss. However despite securing promotion to Division One and winning a fourth Leinster title, Caffrey resigned in the aftermath of Dublin's 12-point defeat in the All Ireland quarter-final against Tyrone.
In September, 2009, Caffrey was selected as the successor to Val Andrews
Val Andrews
Val Andrews is the current manager for the Dublin Minor Football Team for the 2010 championship. Andrews is employed as a lecturer the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown . Andrews had previously managed Louth and Cavan and the Dublin Junior Football team in 2007. Val had previously been linked...
as the manager of Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
interprovincial championship for entry in the Martin Donnelly Cup.
Search for a successor
After Caffrey's resignation, both Jack O'ConnorJack O'Connor
Jack O'Connor may refer to:*Jack O'Connor *Jack O'Connor , Australian cricketer*Jack O'Connor , English cricketer...
and Joe Kernan
Joe Kernan (Gaelic footballer)
Joe Kernan is a former sportsperson from County Armagh, Northern Ireland. He played Gaelic football with his local club Crossmaglen Rangers and with the Armagh senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. He won All-Star awards in 1977 and 1982...
were touted as front runners. Both however ruled themselves out. Finally Pat Gilroy
Pat Gilroy
Pat Gilroy is a former Dublin Gaelic football player and current Dublin senior football manager. Gilroy had Mickey Whelan, Paul Nugent and Paddy O'Donoghue as his selectors for 2009. David Hickey replaced Paul Nugent as a selector in October 2009 for the 2010 season.He played his club football for...
succeeded Caffrey.