Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn’s own, Paul O’Brien, has been appointed by Basketball Ireland as the head coach of the Irish U16 Women’s team for the 2024 European Championships campaign.
We caught up with Paul to get some of his views on coaching at the pinnacle of Irish basketball.
The most important thing for me is that my players are enjoying playing and playing with freedom
Paul O’Brien – Irish Women’s U16 Head Coach
Notes: Paul and the wider O’Brien family have been a huge part of the Maigh Cuilinn basketball family since moving to Maigh Cuilinn in the early 2000s. Paul and his brothers James and Stephen were all instrumental Superleague players and underage stars with a plethora of international caps from their underage playing careers.
The Interview
Question: What are your goals as head coach of the Irish U16 women’s team?
POB: First and foremost our goal is to be as competitive as possible at the European Championships. I want to create an environment, along with the rest of the coaching staff, that allows the players to feel comfortable making mistakes and learning as at this age I feel that is important for their development
Question: What is the biggest difference between coaching at an international level versus club level?
POB: Having been fortunate enough to be an assistant on last year’s team, the biggest thing is understanding the ups and downs of the tournament. It is 2 weeks, generally in a hot country with different food and it is the first time for most of the players experiencing this. Club basketball is comfortable and the Euros isn’t so managing and guiding the players through that will be a big challenge.
Question: What is the biggest difference between a good international player and a good club player?
POB: Mental toughness is probably one of the things that would separate a good international player from a good club player. Having an understanding that this is the highest level they can play at for their age and that we may experience a bad loss and have to regroup and play another game the next day is tough but good international players can do it. The pressure that international teams put on defensively is also intense so being able to play against that makes a good international player.
Question: You played at an U20 European Championships for Ireland. How different is it going as a coach versus as a player?
POB: I think when you go as a player you are just focused on playing and enjoying the experience with the team. What I have found as a coach is the amount of planning and organising that goes into even just a training camp is massive. Getting scouting reports done, clips of the games, and all the logistics around the management of a team abroad is something that never crossed my mind as a player.
Question: What is your best memory as a coach with Maigh Cuilinn
POB: Winning the U14 AICCs about ten years ago is a great memory. They were the first team I really coached and we lost two community games All Irelands the two summers previous so to get that first National Championship with that team was special.
Question: What do you enjoy most about coaching?
POB: I enjoy the opportunity to work with and try and help players who want to improve and get better. Coaching at Super League and international level is great as I am working with the best players in the country but I get as much enjoyment going into primary schools and doing grass roots coaching as I do out of the elite stuff. I’m very fortunate to be in a position where coaching is my job and my passion.
Question: Do you have a coaching philosophy?
POB: I have a style of play that I feel allows players to make decisions based on how the other team are playing rather than running set offenses. I like my teams to play up tempo and express themselves on offense. I have been fortunate to play for some great coaches who I have learned from and based how I want my teams to play on what I have learned over the years. The most important thing for me is that my players are enjoying playing and playing with freedom as that’s when I feel we are at our best.
Question: What do you see as the benefits to Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn in having coaches at an international level?
POB: I hope that I can be someone in the club that other coaches feel they can ask questions and try to help them improve as well. I started my playing and coaching careers with CCMC and owe the club a lot so whatever I can do to help out I am more than happy to. We are very fortunate in our club to have a number of great coaches who I still take stuff from as well so developing our coaching community can only help the club get stronger.
POB Coaching Bio
Two time AICC Division 1 Winner (U14 and U16 girls) with Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn
2022 National League Women’s Coach of the Year with University of Galway Mystics
2022 National Cup Winners with Mystics
2022 National League Winners with Mystics
2023 U20 National Cup Winners with Mystics
Multiple College League and Intervarsity winners with University of Galway in both men and women
U15 Connacht Girls Regional Academy head coach 2021-present
U14 West Girls Regional Academy head coach 2023-present
U16 Irish Womens Team assistant coach 2023 European Championships
Current U16 Irish Women’s Team head coach
