Interview with local legend Seamus Crowe" (Footballer, Coach, Manager, Business Man & Family Man)

1. You have played for a number of Clubs in your career (Wolves, Mervue, Athenry to name a few). Where did it all start for you?
- My first Club was Corrib Shamrocks under Pat O Donnell. Then Newcastle Utd under John Joyce before I went to England. Played with Longford Town, Mervue and Athenry. More Clubs than a Golf bag 

2. In 2008 you won the treble with Athenry FC and FAI Junior International Player of the Year, was this your best season? What did you take most from it all?
- I think we’ve won a cup in nearly every season since I’ve been in Athenry but 08 was a great year. Every training session was like a cup final that year and many more to follow.

3. Having lined up alongside many good/great players, can you name three players that you had the most chemistry with on the pitch?
- Alan O Donavan. He always seemed to make the right run for me (when he wasn’t moaning)
Paddy Quinn. He told me once I was like the brother he never had. Great player.
Benny Lawless. Easiest player in the world to play with.

4. Can you name three of the toughest players faced in your career?
- Derek McQualter (Mervue) I think he really liked me because every time I played against him he used to be stuck to me.
- When I was with Mervue I used to hate playing against Thomas Forde when he played for Athenry. Tom’s career was ended suddenly after a quadruple finger break. Not sure where he is now.
- Gearoid O Leidheinn (Salthill) Great player and quiet as a mouse on the pitch

5. As a manager what was your proudest moments? How did you find the transition into management?
- As a manager what made me proud was having every lad turn up for training consistently and train like their lives depended on it. (Cathal Fahy excluded) After we lost the Connaught Cup final in 14/15 myself and Davey Crimmins asked the lads to do whatever it took to get back to the final the following year. We came back won it 7-0. Making the transition into management when you have commitment from the squad.

6. Last year you opened up a new fitness hub in Cork, following the success of District in Athenry. With this, do you see yourself having a role in football again?
- Having opened in Cork means I’m away a lot so committing to any team is not easy but I would love to get back at it again once things settle a bit

7. Playing, managing and running a business takes up a lot of time, how do you juggle family life?
- The last year has been very tough. I have two young kids and a very patient wife thank God. It’s hard being away from them so much but it’s also hard being away from the craic you can only get in a dressing room.

8. How do you rate the current group of players at Athenry FC? Who stands out! who has the most promise!
- I honestly don’t think the current group realise just how good they are. I don’t envy Davey, Brian Cos and the great Patsy Lynch having to pick a team every week. Great blend of youth and experience throughout the team. Great to see so many good young lads coming through. I think Elliott Langan has a great future ahead of him along with a lot of his u21 teammates and the resurgence of Alfie Deehan is all good for the club going forward.

Thank you,
@athenry_afc / #athenry_afc