We are delighted to announce that Tomás Cosgrove has been appointed as the new Head of Foundation Phase within the club’s academy set-up.
As club captain and current longest-serving player, there was no better fit to replace Jeff Hughes in the role after his promotion to within the first-team coaching staff.
In 2023, Tomas started coaching within the Larne Academy with the 2015 age group in which he oversaw terrific growth, building from one team and around ten players to now three teams and around thirty players today.
As Head of Foundation Phase, Tomás Cosgrove will oversee all of the teams and players within the 5-12 years old age group at the club, ensuring that their development is on track and giving them the best platform and opportunity to progress through the academy phases at the club.
Tomás will join Keith O’Hara and Josh Robinson as a Phase Head within the Academy structure.
Josh Robinson is currently the Head of the Youth Development Phase, responsible for overseeing all of the teams and players within the 13–16-year-old age group.
Meanwhile, Keith O’Hara is our current Head of Professional Development Phase and Technical Director, responsible for overseeing all of the teams and players at the 16+ age group, including those on our full-time Scholarship Programme.
Speaking on taking up the new role alongside his playing commitments, Tomás said:
“I’m delighted and hugely honoured to be intrusted with such a massive responsibility at what is a key stage in any young players journey into football and beyond.
“Youth football should be the best days of anyone’s young sporting life and I want the players to have full passion for the club, but that all starts from enjoying what you’re doing.
“I want to help young local talent who want to thrive in an environment where, first and foremost, you can have fun and enjoy your football but still be challenged within a programme that allows progression and lets the players flourish.
“Our goal is to make Larne Football Club one of the top academies in the country at every age group.”
