We are delighted today to announce our senior women’s backroom staff for the 2025 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign, ahead of our season opening game away to Treaty United FC this Saturday.
As we approach our hugely anticipated first-ever senior women’s game, Gary Hunt is pleased to announce his backroom team for the coming year.
Coming in as his assistant is Jess Lawton, who has been working with Gary closely in the off-season. Lawton joined the Blues ahead of the 2024 season where she took over as our WU19s manager – a position that she remains in for 2025. Lawton spent five years with the Cork City FC women’s first-team and WU19s prior to her move to the Blues.
Peter O’Hagan has also been named as part of Hunt’s staff for 2025. Similar to Lawton, O’Hagan is also involved with our WU19s this year as number-two to Lawton, as the two will work closely with our academy to strengthen the player pathway for the group.
Kevin Burns has been named as goalkeeping coach for the side for the coming year, along with maintaining his kit-man duties for both our women’s & men’s first-teams.
Ava Murphy has come on board for 2025 to be named as physio for the team, where she will work closely with the group each week.
Finally, Hannah Hamilton has been named as our Strength & Conditioning coach for our women’s side for 2025.
Speaking on his backroom team announcement, Hunt is delighted to have a strong team alongside him for 2025, commenting:
“It’s important to have a staff that can contribute to the development of the team and I think this group is one that will allow us to do that. But it’s also important that we have people who want to go the extra mile and again that’s something I’ve seen from everyone, staff & players included.
I’ve also wanted to make sure we have a connection & some continuity with the academy so there is a familiarity with the staff for our players but I also wanted to have people who understand the league and what to expect from other sides.
Jess brings a wealth of knowledge in the game having been involved now for so many years and that experience will be important for both myself & the group. Kevin has recently graduated his UEFA B licence and on top of his goalkeeper qualifications and experience is one of the best around.
Since I’ve come in I’ve seen how important Peter is to the group, having experience dealing with the players coming through the U19s and also helping those younger players when they are needed too. Finally Ava & Hannah will bring something new to the group and their enthusiasm and ambition to perform at this level is something that has impressed me so far.”
The Blues are in action this Saturday, making the journey to Limerick city to take on Treaty United FC in our historic league opener. Tickets are on sale now HERE.