By Jonathan Brown
New Castlewellan Town manager Conor Fegan says he was “delighted and relieved” when he was told he’d got the job.
Former Rathfriland, Dromara, Loughgall, Warrenpoint and Newcastle player Fegan was previously the head of youth development and U-21 manager at Rathfriland Rangers. Following Glynn Robinson’s departure at the end of last season, Fegan was officially unveiled at the Town’s recent awards night.
“It was actually a job that I wanted last year but I’d already taken another job (at Rathfriland). The good work that John Young had done before, the players at the club and what’s there in terms of the structure and the work going on with the youth – I was delighted and relieved once I got it because I had set my stall out that that was the job I wanted once it became available again,” Conor said.
The Rostrevor native enjoyed a successful Amateur League playing career, winning 1B promotion with Dromara and 1A promotion with Rathfriland. He gave up playing five years ago and went on to enjoy coaching and management spells with Warrenpoint Town U-20s, Windmill Stars, Drumaness Mills, Damolly and Gilford Crusaders.
However, Fegan’s passion for coaching began at an early age, inspired by the Football Manager video games, and he set up his own multi-sports coaching business in 2017, specialising in Gaelic and soccer. “I’ve always loved coaching and managing. It was always a real passion of mine from no age, from playing Football Manager – that was really when it all started and I knew I wanted to do that.”
Fegan added: “Coaching to me isn’t a job, it’s a passion. I’m coaching every day, so it’s not as if I’m not prepared for it, it’s something I love doing.”
At the age of just 32, Fegan will be one of the younger managers in the Amateur League next season, but he doesn’t see it as a problem. “I’ve played at a decent level, so I’ve got good experience. I’ve been coached by some of the best coaches around in my eyes, so I don’t think my age really affects things.”
Pre-season training at the Bann Road began last night (Tuesday) and the annual Petsy Corrigan pre-season tournament is fast approaching, giving Fegan the chance to get a good look at his new squad. “It’s really just about getting eyes on the players, seeing what we have available and what we need to work on. Also seeing what we need to add in terms of signings,” the new manager explained.
Adam Garland and Des McCartan have departed the club and will be big losses for Fegan, but he intends to add some new signings soon and wants to make sure he gives youth a chance this season. “I’m going to be big on blending in the youth – we’ve a good group of U-17s who will be turning 18 soon that realistically need to transition into senior football as soon as possible, so it’s (pre-season) about getting a look at them to see who’s ready to make the step up and who needs a bit more work and a bit more time.”
When at full strength, Castlewellan have one of the best squads in the Amateur League 1C division and this was the main attraction for the UEFA B Licence coach. “That was one of the most appealing factors of the job – you’ve got a squad there that’s 90 per cent ready-made for promotion and hopefully winning the league. Defensively you’ve got real experience in Bubba (Rory Burns), Conall Corrigan and Ruairi McArdle and then in midfield you’ve got Connor O’Hare who everyone is talking about as a really talented young player. And then up front the two boys (Ruairi Croskery and Karol Jaorosinski) speak for themselves. So I’m not coming in having to add too much to the squad in terms of players.”
Fegan admits promotion from 1C has to be the aim for Castlewellan this year, but he’s also aware of the injury crisis at the Bann Road that derailed the Town’s promotion hopes in the last campaign. “That has to be the long-term aim but it’s about taking it one game at a time and not being too unrealistic in what we’re trying to achieve. Last year there seemed to be a big injury crisis that derailed their season, so it’s also about managing that and making sure boys come back (from pre-season) as fit as they can be.”
Fegan’s first game in charge of Castlewellan comes against his former side, Newry outfit Windmill Stars, in the opening weekend of the Petsy Corrigan Cup (Saturday 5 July).
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