Donegal GAA advertise for a new part-time Head of Academy 

Donegal GAA have advertised for a new Head of Academy with the role to be carried out on a part-time basis. 

Karl Lacey departed the positon last February with the majority of the academy coaching staff soon following with the 2012 All-Ireland winner, at the time, citing a lack of support from within the county board. 

Lacey, who has an MSc in Sports Performance from the University of Limerick and is a lecturer in Sport Coaching and Performance at ATU Donegal in Letterkenny, was over the coaching of players from U-14 level up to U-20.

A subsequent review by Croke Park into the runnings of Donegal GAA was carried out paying particular attention to areas like the academy as well as both finance and governance. 

The report, compiled by a joint Ulster Council and Croke Park committee, revealed 14 high-risk findings among its observations and recommendations.

Jim McGuinness has since come back on board with the Donegal senior footballers as boss while Mary Coughlan, as new chairperson, led widespread change at executive level at December’s Donegal GAA Convention.  

The detailed job description, advertised on Donegal GAA’s website and social media on Tuesday evening, states that it’s a 20-hour role that will also now incorporate a hurling academy as well as a football one. 

The five-page document also recommends that interested parties hold a third-level degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Sports performance, Human Movement, Physical Education or a related area. 

The successful candidate will report to the Head of Games Development, Declan Bushell and new Coaching Officer Damian Diver “to communicate on all aspects of the Academy”. 

The closing date for applications is Thursday, January 25. The part-time rolling contract will be reviewed annually. The document doesn’t state what the salary will be.