Cillian Flavin Returns as Rebels Coach

Cillian Flavin will return as coach of the Rebels for the 2016 season. He was voted in unanimously by the club’s Board of Directors on Monday evening at the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Albany, making it his third season as player/coach.

Flavin joined the Rebels in 2012. The lone Irishman on the team, he brings a knowledgeable background and a polished skillset to the growing club.

“I am very passionate about my football, this passion coming from my father’s love of the sport which was passed on at a very early age,” Flavin said.

Flavin grew up on the northside of Cork City, Ireland, which is very much a hurling stronghold. His home team was Na Piarsaigh, an institution in Cork which has provided numerous hurlers to the Cork Senior County team. Flavin played in their youth street-leagues and for a few years in his younger teens with their underage teams. He also played junior football for a year with Rathpeacon in Co. Cork before moving to the U.S.

Flavin has appointed Tim Gerrish, Ryan Moloney and Mike Lee as selectors (assistant coaches). Together, they plan to provide a deeper tactical understanding of the sport and develop more of a specialized positional understanding.

“We have worked hard on the basics for a few years now and most of the players are ready to take a big step in their development,” Flavin said. “I’m looking forward to a productive season.”