Nicola Brennan excited about new managerial role with Melvin Gaels

By Cian O’Connell

Nicola Brennan laughs about the chaotic few days. On Saturday, it was announced that Brennan would take charge of Melvin Gaels for the remainder of the Leitrim Intermediate Football Championship.

Still playing Ladies Football with Tourlestrane, Brennan, from a proud sporting family, senses the opportunity. Sunday’s clash with Aughavas will be revealing, but it’s a challenge to embrace.

The past week has been a bit of a whirlwind. “It was a bit of a land, but when I spoke to them late last week, they gave me a day to think about it, to make sure it was something I could do,” Brennan explains.

“I wouldn't have come on board unless I was able to give what I want to give to these lads. I'm delighted to have this sort of headache, to move things around. I love football. I love coaching. This is just the dream for me. I'm delighted to be a bit busier this week.”

It’s an opportunity for Brennan and Melvin Gaels to conclude the 2026 campaign on a high. “I've been dying to manage in the men's game,” she responds. “I've been coaching plenty, here and there, I really wanted to take charge. I'm really good at managing, I know I am. It's always going to be a hard thing to do.

“It was an opportunity that I could take a swing at it too. Maybe if I was offered it at the beginning of the season, it mightn't have been something I could work time wise.

“With it being so last minute, I think it's working for both sides. I'm absolutely delighted; I'm thrilled to have a run at this championship with these lads.”

Former Leitrim footballer James Phelan is chairperson of Melvin Gaels is hopeful can make an impact with the club. “I was aware of Nicki Brennan due to her involvement with Sligo IT, ATU as it's now. I'd have known about her as a footballer, her accomplishments on the pitch. Her name was suggested to me, that she might be somebody interested in taking up a managerial role.

“It really just went from there. I rang her. We spoke about the job and what attributes she could bring to the team. I was very impressed with her. It's very simple, we were looking for a manager.

“Gender wasn't something I was worried about. We were just looking for the right person to do the job and we found Nicki. She was adequate in all the facets necessary for the job.

“She worked with Liam Gilmartin, an ex manager of Melvin Gaels and a former player. She worked with him at ATU Sligo and we’ve helped put a management team around her from within the club.”

On Saturday evening Brennan met the Melvin Gaels panel. The reaction was positive. “When Nicki took the floor to speak, she commanded the room,” Phelan says.

“She has been in lots of dressing rooms and scenarios. She knows football. Everybody is just moving forward towards the game next Sunday.

“It hasn't been the norm for a female to come in as a manager. Although, there is some precedent now. You've Mags D'Arcy and Áine Kinsella in Wexford who've taken roles. Cora Staunton has taken roles in Mayo coaching football.

“While it's kind of new, the standard of the play in the LGFA, people won't have any problems making the step over to GAA coaching mens teams.

“I think this is something that will become more naturalised over the next few years. The way it is now, it is new and it will bring a certain amount of attention.”

Brennan isn’t overly concerned about that; she merely is focused on stitching a winning run together with Melvin Gaels. “Even when I met with them on Saturday, I thought there might be a bit of surprise locally,” she says.

“It's been a bit more than I thought it would be, bigger of a deal, but isn't it great. They'd a tough week. So, it's good to put a bit of positivity into them.

“They're such a motivated group. I'm thrilled with the group I have, they're very focused. We're going for that semi-final spot now on Sunday. We just can't wait to hit the ground running as soon as we get together on Tuesday evening.”

Football was always on the agenda. Anthony Brennan, her father, has managed and trained teams at every level. “It's bred into me,” she chuckles.

“I was dragged all over the country for years watching games. Dad was managing teams all over the place. I loved it.

“The fondest memories you'd have from your childhood are the places you went to, the great stories to follow through too. I love the game. Everyone in our house does. I always knew I'd get into management.

“I hoped to be getting into men’s management. I watched my Dad at it for years, learned plenty from him. I'm delighted it has come when it did. I just have to pass on the torch now to my own daughter maybe someday.”

Valuable lessons were learned on those cherished journeys to games and training. “I've seen it all with him,” she reflects. “Literally all. The great days. The bad days. There has been fights, the best pals he has come across.

“People he met 30 years ago in a dressing room and that he'd still pick up the phone to today. I've seen the way he'd address players in a good way and a bad way. You learn so much from being in those environments.

“I've seen all types of players, how they respond to all types of management and all types of coaching. I've seen the different personalities along the way. You didn't even realise what you were learning until it was there.

“It makes days like this a lot easier then when the opportunities come for yourself. I know that it will be all types I'll come across in the next couple of weeks. It's on me to manage all of that, and I'm quite confident that I will.”

Brennan thoroughly enjoys coaching and managing. “Being joint manager with ATU Sligo ladies was a big one,” she says.

“We'd a fantastic year. Coaching wise I've been with different clubs on the ladies side. In Sligo I went in as Development Officer on the ladies’ side, I ran different development squads and programmes, all that underage coaching throughout. With the men’s I was with (Coolaney) Mullinabreena, sporadically doing S&C. I've been with Parke in Mayo. With Owenmore Gaels men’s team, I'd do the odd session. There has been a lot.

“I wouldn't be too worried now going in coaching men. For me it's no different. For me it's very much the same as coaching women.

“The rules are more or less the same now, there is very little difference. The years of coaching I've done have prepped me for this. I don't think it will phase me too much.”

On Tuesday evening, Brennan will take a session with Melvin Gaels. Getting the team ready to make a bid for Leitrim IFC honours, a competition the club won two years ago is the brief. “I don't think there was any fuss with them that a female walked in,” she says.

“The fuss has been outside of the room; they don't seem to be bothered at all. They're just happy someone was appointed.

“Regardless of who came through the door, they were just glad somebody did. Speaking to a few of them in the last couple of days, they seem like a seriously driven group.

“I've been so impressed with the aspirations they. Obviously, they've had a knock and seem to be handling it, and as a group so far, I'm extremely impressed and really eager to work with them.”