Liam Cronin: ‘I enjoy working with players’

LIAM Cronin is building an impressive coaching CV. Cronin has worked with Dublin and Clare senior hurling teams, along with Ardscoil Rís Harty Cup teams.

2024 has been a busy year for the Limerick man. Cronin has been involved with four teams which have included the Limerick minor hurling team, Cork senior camogie team, Ardscoil Rís Harty Cup side and Eire Og senior hurling team in Ennis. 

In 2024, he was the coach of the Cork senior camogie team which won the All-Ireland title in July.

“There's a fantastic bunch of girls below in Cork. There's really good management team in place and they're exceptionally driven. It has been a really enjoyable two years winning the two All-Irelands. There was something special about doing backto-back. When the final whistle goes in Croke Park and you're on the winning team, there's probably no better place to be from a hurling perspective.”

The Ardscoil Rís teacher has experienced working with male and female teams across hurling and camogie. Cronin feels camogie and Ladies Football needs to be integrated as part of the GAA as soon as possible.

“It just makes sense if everyone is under the one umbrella. We've had the added pressure of having dual players in Cork. You would like think that the same opportunities are available to every boy and every girl.”

Cronin's coaching journey started when he was back in college where he coached the U12 team in his local club in Cappamore.

“I do see an awful lot of overlaps between my profession on a day to day basis teaching and coaching. I was lucky enough 24 years ago to get the job in Ardscoil Rís. It's probably then that my coaching interest and career took off.

“I really enjoy working with players, trying to improve them and trying to get them to work together.”

Numerous Limerick and Clare players who attended Ardscoil Rís have went onto to win All-Ireland medals with their counties.“Anytime I'm part of a management team, I prefer to be on the coaching side of things as opposed to be on the managing side of things. I think, I'm at my best when I'm dealing with the players on the pitch. The biggest satisfaction of all is to see so many of our past pupils win All-Irelands with Clare and Limerick.”

In 2024, Cronin was part of the Limerick minor hurling management team. Limerick had a difficult campaign where the Treaty County didn't manage to win a game during the Munster MHC round robin series.

“It was a disappointing campaign, there's no point in saying otherwise. Sometimes management teams and players just don't click and get the best out of eachother.”

Ardscoil Rís, Castletroy College, John The Baptist Community School, Hospital and Scoil Na Troinoide Naofa, Doon are all competing in this year's Dr Harty Cup.

Cronin feel it's a big positive to have four Limerick schools competing in the top level Munster Post-Primary Schools U19 ‘A’ hurling competition.