ANTRIM senior football manager Frank Fitzsimons has expressed his delight at securing the services of former county defender Gearóid Adams and former world boxing champion Brian Magee for 2016.
In a major shake-up of his managerial team, Fitzsimons confirmed Adams will be joint manager next season, while Magee is the squad’s new fitness coach. Magee effectively replaces Mike McGurn, who worked with the Antrim footballers last season, while Gerard McNulty will look after the county’s U21 squad alongside Seán McGoldrick. Another selector from last year, Seán McKenna, has moved on as he is heavily involved with Aldergrove.
After paying a warm tribute to last year’s backroom team, Fitzsimons said Adams and Magee were ideal appointments. Adams enjoyed a 13-year playing career with the Saffrons before managing his club St John’s for four seasons. Alongside Paul McFlynn, Adams assisted former Antrim manager Liam Bradley and held the reins at Down club Clonduff this year.
“I’m over the moon with the recruitment of the two lads,” said Fitzsimons.
“Obviously, Gearóid’s an Antrim man and has been there before with ‘Baker’. He was involved with Clonduff and was very keen to come on board. It’s very much him and me in charge of the team.”
Fitzsimons added: “Gearóid’s plenty of experience. He managed St John’s for four years and worked with the county team. He’s also had a year outside the county. He works as a PE teacher in Ballymena and knows the talent that is up there as well. He knows his stuff.”
The addition of west Belfast native Magee is an interesting choice by Fitzsimons. After retiring from professional boxing three years ago, the former super middleweight champion moved into personal fitness and owns Magee Health and Fitness. He has worked with several soccer teams and took Down’s senior hurlers for several sessions and invited the Antrim footballers to his gym a couple of times last year.
Magee follows in the footsteps of Dublin's former world boxing champion Bernard Dunne, who is a key member of Jim Gavin’s backroom team.
“The squad went up to Brian’s gym a couple of times and he was very impressive,” Fitzsimons said.
“I met him quite a lot. His gym set-up is first class and he’s been a professional athlete too, so knows what it takes to get fit, particularly upper body strength. The Down hurlers were in his gym last year. I know he comes from a boxing background, but even to go through what he’s been through as an athlete. He’s been there, done it.
“Brian will be doing all the gym work, but he’ll be out on the pitch too. He’s a gentleman, no airs or graces. You wouldn’t think you’re talking to a former world champion.”
Mickey Pollock and Tony Scullion are the only players who have stepped down from last year’s Antrim squad. Fitzsimons, though, is hopeful some more established names will return to the fold next year.
Looking ahead to next season’s Division Four campaign, the Lámh Dhearg clubman said: “Last year, I learned an awful lot. We all did. You learn a lot from the players.
"Hopefully we can drive on next season and get out of Division Four.”
