Darren Murray

Experienced international football coach/ university lecturer / entrepreneur / expert UEFA coach educator.

I'm an accomplished professional with extensive experience developing targeted training programmes for ongoing development and achievement. I exceed personalised player targets using direct, motivational approaches.

I own and run The Football Academy of Ireland, a football training academy for young players in the south of Ireland, and lecture in Sports Coaching and Performance at the South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford, Ireland.

I hold:

• A UEFA Pro licence,
• a Masters MSc in Sports Performance (UL),
• a Masters MSc in Sports Coaching and Science (UCD),
• a Masters MSc in Advanced Strength and Conditioning (LIT)
• a KNVB (Holland FA) International Coaching Award, and
• an FA (England FA) Youth Coaches Award.

As a former FAI Development Officer, I managed the development of players and coaches for 18 years.

As a UEFA coach educator on UEFA A and B courses, I educated over a thousand aspiring coaches.

As the Ireland international coach with the boys U15 and U16 teams, and the girls U17 and women’s U19 teams, I coached many players that progressed to the international men's and women's teams.

During a senior Irish international men's game in 2019, I was coach to four of the 11 starting players.

I have visited many professional clubs in England, Spain, Germany and Portugal to observe team training and benchmark professional standards.