Sean Taylor - from Club All-Star to playing full-back for London

Sean Taylor mixed it with some of the best full-forwards around last year, culminating with Con O’Callaghan of Cuala in the All-Ireland club semi-final in Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan.

And after bowing out of the club championship, the Coolera-Strandhill player was immediately into action with London in the Allianz National League.

The Ballyshannon man has had a remarkable journey in a short time. Still only 25 years of age, his elevation up the football ladder and achievements are remarkable. 

He was back in the past two weeks at his Alma Mater, Rockfield NS, Ballyshannon,  to talk to the pupils about his time there and he had with him two trophies, one being the Club Player of the Year and the other a Club All-Star, the rewards for helping Coolera-Strandhill to Sligo and Connacht titles before bowing out to eventual All-Ireland winners, Cuala.

His football journey didn’t really start until he joined Coláiste Cholmcille and went up to Fr Tierney Park with new-found friends for a kick-about. Being something of a raw recruit, he ended up in goals and before long he made the position his own.

He graduated to the Donegal minor team and played an entire Ulster Minor League before being handed the No 16 jersey on the morning of the championship encounter against Antrim. That Donegal team included Peadar Mogan, Aaron Doherty, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí and Oisin Gallen among others.

Taylor then graduated to play outfield and was comfortable in any of the central positions. He went on to win an Intermediate Championship with Aodh Ruadh in 2020 before his work as a physical instructor brought him to Sligo, where he transferred to Coolera-Strandhill.

Then last year Taylor took up employment with the Harlequins Rugby Club as strength and conditioning coach for their Academy, working with Gordon’s School.

His two years with Coolera-Strandhill have seen the club win the Sligo senior title in both years and last they went on to defeat Ballina Stephenites of Mayo and Padraig Pearses, Roscommon to take the Connacht title.

Taylor was named Player of the Year in his first year and after his exploits in the club championship last year he was named along with clubmate Killian Harte on the 2024 Club All-Star team. 

And because he moved to London with his new job last August, he had to commute for every game in the club championship from London.

And his enthusiasm and love for the game saw him then get on board with London in the Allianz National League and his plan for the rest of this year is to continue to commute and help Coolera-Strandhill defend their Sligo and Connacht titles.

But for now his focus is on playing with London, whom he joined after Coolera’s season ended in early January.

He had been invited to join them some time before that.

"When the club championship was finishing up in London, I was still training for my club championship back at home. So I needed someone to train with so Michael Maher invited me in to come and train with them.

"They were obviously in pre-season phase so it was a good visual for him to see how I fitted into that group. The intention was that when the club season finished at home that I would come and play for London. He invited me in around Christmas time and we sat down in Ruislip and had a discussion on what his plans were for the year and what my plans were.

"I didn't actually take a break from the club season. I think I went out the following weekend. There wasn't much time off to be honest. But I would have preferred that. If you had given me two or three weeks off I would have been in a worse position going in.”

The London training schedule has to be integrated into his own work with Harlequins with London using the London Irish Rugby Club’s grounds as their base. They have a gym session on Monday and are on the pitch Tuesday and Thursday with a game or training at weekend.

“We are counting down the days to the first Tailteann Cup game. We don't know who we are playing yet as the draw hasn't been made,” said Taylor, who says it’s like starting all over again with a new pre-season.

“We will be in a group of four and while the other teams will have one home, one away and one neutral game, we will have one at home and two away.”

Sean Taylor pictured with the Senior Room at Rockfield NS

LEAGUE

Taylor was into the action with the London team immediately after his club Coolera's defeat in the All-Ireland club semi-final. And he feels the league season went well for London.

"The position in the table doesn't reflect how we actually played. With the group that Michael Maher had last year, a lot of the boys stayed and a couple of more were added to the group.

"They definitely developed from last year. A couple of games maybe got away from us result wise but in terms of performance I think we did quite well.

"The first day against Wexford wasn't the greatest game but we bounced back and beat Wicklow and obviously Wicklow went on their good run too.

"There was definitely a progression from last year according to the boys and from what I've seen it's been a good league campaign. It definitely solidified our game plan and stuff.”

One thing’s for sure, Sean Taylor loves a busy schedule.

"It's been busy. Since the club season finished I have been back at home as much. I have only been back when there have been games (for London) in the country. So travel wise, it's loosened a little bit," said Taylor, who added that while he might have a few evenings to himself during that time he was not one for sitting idle and was always involved with some activity.

"At the moment the main focus now for me is that I'm ticking all the boxes with my job and trying to be as professional as I can and try and grow. And then at the same time give my full commitment to London and the Tailtean Cup. 

"I think that the position we're in, we are in a unique position where we came quite low in Division 4, we can push quite hard for the Tailtean Cup. The belief is there, the talent is there. The boys upset Offaly last year away; unfortunate against Antrim on the last day of the season. I think we're all in tune to prove to everyone that London can compete in the Tailtean Cup quite competitively and we're not just to fulfil a fixture.

"I think that's the mentality that Michael Maher has, Michael Boyle and Cathair Healy. Cathair was the full-back for London for the last 13, 14 years and now he's come in as a selector.”

COOLERA

Sean was back home two weeks ago for the Coolera-Strandhill presentation night and it was a really good year for the club with both the men and ladies teams reaching the All-Ireland semi-final, the men losing out to Cuala while the Ladies were only defeated on free kicks against eventual All-Ireland champions, Mungret of Limerick, who defeated Na Dúnaibh from Donegal in the final.

"The Coolera boys are back training and have had a couple of Spring league fixtures. The league is starting now and some lads are just getting back into the swing of things.

"Friday night was a good way to mark the year, but also a good way to put a fresh plate in front of us now.

"We are now into a new season. We are no longer county champions, we are no longer Connacht champions. We have to go and do that again. Do we have the bouncebackability to climb that mountain again?

"It's a long season but if you take the foot off the gas at the start of the league, it knocks on to the end of the league and you're struggling to get up in the championship. It's really important that we stay together as a group, now in April time.

“The thoughts for me are to help them along as best I can. I’m not there in person obviously for the next seven to nine weeks at the earliest. But it’s a matter of pushing them on from the outside as best I can.”

At their presentation night Niall Murphy was named Player of the Year for last year but there was acknowledgement for Taylor and Keelan Harte on winning Club All-Stars.

“Murph is one of our leaders, one of our key shooters and I think he has shown that at club and intercounty level over the last couple of years. His skill and talent is unquestioned and he is a leader off the field for us as well.”

Away from football, Sean Taylor’s world is very grounded and work is going well, but you can just about hear the background noise of a yearning to return to Ireland and compete at the top level of Gaelic football.

“Work is going good. It’s starting to tail off a little now. Rugby is a winter sport over here. I’m stepping more into my school role now and doing some other sports as well. Dipping my toe in that is good for experience as well.

“We’ll see where London GAA takes me and where work takes me. It might bring me home.  I don’t know; I’m open to whatever way the ladder takes me but I’m going to focus on my football as well.

“I was saying to someone recently that I've got another good 10 years left (playing) so I don’t want to let that go now. So let’s try and maximise it the best I can,” said Taylor, who added that there were a number of good young lads coming through at Coolera and he wanted to help push them on to help the club sustain their present success.”

Sean Taylor pictured with the Rockfield Junior Room on a recent visit