IT’S A SUBTLE shift in terms of attire, swapping jersey and shorts for a tracksuit, but the journey from player to coach offers a more formidable rite of passage. St Mary’s College begin their defence of the Ulster Bank Division One A title against UL Bohemian at Templeville Road on Saturday with last year’s winning captain and number eight Hugh Hogan taking on the role of head coach, vacated by Peter Smyth.
Another of last year’s coaching team, Ciarán Potts, has taken a year off because of business commitments but there is appreciable continuity in terms of the management team given the presence of backs’ coach James Norton, manager Terry Tierney and senior coaching adviser Steve Hennessy.
Hogan was a superb player – he played for Ireland at club international level – a charismatic leader and the team will miss his galvanising presence on the pitch. There was pressure for him to assimilate the playing and coaching duties but he declined the invitation. “I wanted to give the coaching job my full focus. You can’t be training with the lads; you have to call the session. I want to do a great job (as a coach) and empower the players to be the best they can be. I would be doing them a disservice if I didn’t give them at total commitment. I haven’t lost the passion for playing but I can’t be selfish.”
Hogan points to the support he has received from the management team, particularly James Norton and when asked to consider the biggest transformation in exchanging playing for coach, he laughs: “they are less likely to give me a phone call for a pint on a Saturday night.
“It’s a completely different challenge. These are good friends who I have played with but there has to be a slight change in the relationship when you move into a coaching capacity. That can be a bit tough at times but we are all on the same page in terms of what we want; they’re a great bunch.”
Hogan is studying to become a solicitor and is also SCT coach at St Mary’s College in Rathmines. His preoccupation this weekend will be the club and the opening match in defence of the title.
There are a few faces missing, Damien Hall has gone to take up a player/coach role at Wanderers, while Steve Bradshaw and Mark Sexton are injured. Andrew Burke has joined from Young Munster, so too Dylan Fawsitt (hooker), Peter Staratt (secondrow), Kevin Croke (number eight), Kurt Haupt (hooker/backrow) and Conor Dolphin. The team will be captained by Richie Sweeney, who follows in the footsteps of his father, JB; the first time a father and son have achieved the honour with the club.
Hogan fully understands what it takes to win as a player and that experience, coupled with the players’ support, will be invaluable as he embarks on road less travelled.
