By Cian O’Connell

Thirty four years. That is how long Jim McCorry has been training Gaelic Football teams at every level of the game. The flame still burns, his passion for sport undiminished.

Killeavy in 1989 was the start of McCorry’s coaching journey. On Sunday, McCorry will be on the sideline at Páirc Esler, in charge of Burren against one of his former clubs, Kilcoo. There is always a match to plan for, another challenge to embrace.

“If you don't learn, you stand still, and you won't evolve,” McCorry says. “If you don't evolve, the team won't evolve.

“When I first started with Killeavy way back in 1989, how the game has evolved since then, how it has evolved even in the last three or four years.

“As a coach you have to adapt and you have to evolve too. That is what all coaches are doing nowadays, if you don't change, and if you're not prepared to bring people in to listen, and you aren't prepared to change yourself, you'll never be able to change a team, to help them to win. I think that is a very important thing for any coach - you have to be prepared to do that.”

The former Armagh footballer has been successful in Down with Mayobridge and Kilcoo. Burren’s collection of emerging and established footballers have connected with McCorry.

So there is fun in the approach too. “I think I'm in my 34th year managing football teams so there must be something I enjoy about it,” he replies.

“That is a long time to be coaching, I'm with a fantastic bunch of players, who have worked really hard over this few years, they've listened to what we are trying to do. I've a great backroom team with me and a great management team with coaches.

“With all of those teams throughout the years it has been a great experience at county level with Down and twice with Armagh and the Armagh minors. One coach or one manager cannot do it all, any success you have over the years is down to a hard working team behind you.

“A lot of hard work has been done in clubs producing underage players that can move forward into senior football. It is a long time coaching, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all 34 years of it.”

Surrounding yourself with talented operators in the backroom is critical according to McCorry. “There is no doubt about that and it isn't a question of just bringing in people that have managed at county level or experienced coaches taking other clubs,” he responds.

“Within Burren currently we have two who worked with underage players throughout a part of their career, Stephen O'Hare and Eoin McCartan. This is their first time at senior level, you'd think they have been managing their whole career at senior level. They are fantastic.

“Gearoid Adams has been involved with Down and Antrim too, he has been successful at schools, club, and county level. It takes a really good coaching team, not just an individual as a manager to win.

“When I was with Kilcoo it was the same, when I was with Mayobridge it was the same. With Armagh - way back, God rest John Morrison, people remember John when I first went into Armagh. It is very important to have the right people around you if you want to have any success in Gaelic Football.”

Morrison’s methods impacted coaches and managers. McCorry acknowledges that valuable lessons were learned during that rewarding time. “John was fantastic, he had been managing a team in Armagh at the time and I had been managing a team in Armagh when they asked me to do it,” McCorry says.

“His name had come up in a conversation, just in terms of somebody to come in. John is infectious, when you had that discussion with him about coming in to get involved, it was a fantastic initial discussion.

“That just continued right through not just with Armagh, but the coaching with the Ulster Council. John was there for a lot of coaches over the years with a bit of advice and great friendship. He was a great person, he is sadly missed, but he was a great person to have both as a coach and a friend.”

McCorry is well versed in preparing for high stakes matches. Undoubtedly this Down SFC Final brings hope and excitement. “It is a fantastic place to be, when you are playing football at this time of the year in mid October, you are through to the last stages of it,” he says.

“So a lot of hard work has been put in, right throughout the year, it is nice to be still playing in October. Playing in a final is what everybody wants to be doing.

“Burren have had a tremendous amount of success at underage level. Of course, we know it doesn't always happen that because you're successful at underage that it automatically transfers to senior level.

“We've seen that with so many teams, who had great underage teams, but it hasn't transferred to senior. In fairness, with Burren in our first year three came through, and a few more have come through last year and this year.

“Plus, you have the more seasoned players like Donal O'Hare, Gerard McGovern, and Kevin McKernan, and Colm McGovern - guys like that have been around for quite a while with Burren. There is a nice blend of both.”

McCorry’s respect for Kilcoo runs deep. The manner in which the club remains relevant on the Down, Ulster, and national stages illustrates Kilcoo’s passion and pedigree. “Sheer hard work, total dedication, and an awful lot of talent too,” McCorry replies.

“A wise man said talent won't always win you games, but hard work does. I think, in Kilcoo's case, you have hard work and a lot of talented players too.

“You've seen the development of players over the years, a lot of those players, I managed four championships when I was there - the first three in a row.

“I know the dedication they have, the talent, and the hard work, they will bring that this week too. Obviously, we will focus on ourselves, to make sure we bring that too.”

A lively encounter beckons in Newry.