CK United have announced Tom O’Connor as their First team head coach ahead of the 2026 FAI National League.
In a statement released on the club’s social media platforms this morning it read:
CK UTD are delighted to announce Tom O’Connor as our new First Team Head Coach.
Tom currently holds a A UEFA Elite Youth A license
Tom has extensive experience across the League of Ireland environments at clubs including Shamrock Rovers FC, Wexford FC, and Bray Wanderers FC.
CK United are 1 of the 15 founding members for the FAI National League which will commence it’s inaugural season in August 2026 on a shortened season. Promotion will come into effect in the 2027 season with the FAI National League calendar aligning with the League Of Ireland schedules.
Speaking to club media following the announcement, Head Coach Tom O’Connor said “Having met with the key stakeholders at the club, including Sporting Director Shane, it was clear this was the right move. The club’s core values and long-term goals align closely with my own.”
It’s a new league and an opportunity to build the right way.
When talking about the role of CK United academy and recruitment for the the first team side for the FAI National League O’Connor said “Academy progression is of huge importance, but junior players will also be very much part of the picture. The aim is to give local players opportunities and put a team on the pitch that represents CK United, its core values, and the area properly.
I’m excited to start in the role, it’s an opportunity I’ve been waiting for, and I’m ready to show what CK United can bring to the growing structures of senior football in the National League.”
Also speaking following the announcement sporting director at CK United Shane Dunphy said the club is “absolutely delighted to welcome Tom O’Connor to the club as our new First Team Head Coach.
Being able to bring in our first-choice candidate, and someone with the experience Tom has, is a huge boost for everyone involved with the club.
“Tom has worked in both first-team and academy setups with Wexford FC, Shamrock Rovers and Bray Wanderers. It’s really important to us that he has experience at both senior and youth level, as he has a strong passion for developing players through the academy system, which
is something we place great value on at this club.
From speaking with Tom, it’s clear that he shares our vision and ambition for where we want to take the club, and we’re really looking forward to working with him as we head into what promises to be a historic season for
us.”
It’s an exciting time for the Carlow Kilkenny based side with them recently becoming the new owners of Buckley Park which will be the home of CK United for the FAI National League.