MALE OR NOT..I’M OUT TO DELIVER

Truth be told, the real intrigue should be around how a relatively young coach navigates her first position at this level though her gender is naturally a curiosity in the men’s game.

Asked if that bothers her, Kinsella said: “I suppose it would be a lie to say it doesn’t bother me because if I was a man, I wouldn’t be asked that question. But at the same time, I do understand why it’s asked because it’s kind of a novel element, for want of a better word.

“But look, I spend 95 percent of my time in a male dominated environment, I teach in an all-boys school, I’ve only ever worked with men’s teams, so I don’t even bat an eyelid at this stage.

“There’s been so much talk of breaking glass ceilings and stuff. But it’s not the kind of a monumental step forward that it can be perceived to be from the outside. I never have to fight for my voice to be heard, or for an opinion to be taken on board.”

Davy Burke, the Roscommon football manager, made the point recently that the ‘modern day players are probably the most selfish people in the world, let’s be honest about it. They care about one thing and it’s themselves. And if you are not up to it, they won’t be long telling you’.

That, for Kinsella, is the real essence of it.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Division 4 National League clash with Laois, she nodded: “Yeah, 100 pe cent. And they have to be selfish because the game requires such a time commitment that if you’re not giving everything, and if everyone isn’t going in the same direction, then it’s hard to make progress.”

I have only ever worked with men’s teams and I don’t bat an eyelid now