ALL IRELAND RUGBY: Adam Larkin reflects on his time at Belfast Harlequins

Adam Larkin finished his tenure as Belfast Harlequins coach with a 36-26 over Ballymena at Deramore.
Belfast  Harlequins' Mark Glover pushes forward against Ballymena's Chris CundellBelfast  Harlequins' Mark Glover pushes forward against Ballymena's Chris Cundell
Belfast Harlequins' Mark Glover pushes forward against Ballymena's Chris Cundell

Quins were already relegated and Ballymena were guaranteed a third place finish and a playoff with Trinity but both sides served a thriller with the home team outscoring the Braidmen sixes tries to four.

The long serving Larkin feels the role of coaching has changed with the demands of the modern game

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s been tough as all coaches at this level will tell you there are no easy games anymore, about 75 to 80% of the time is just trying to get numbers out so there is only a small time left for coaching which is a shame, it’s a long long season and the structure has to be tinkered with but there is no ideal solution the clubs just have to get on with it and deal with it the best they can.”

Larkin has fond memories of his time at Deramore.

“I have enjoyed it we have had highs we’re had lows and that is the nature of the club games, the highlights or the obvious things we got promotion from 2A and were within a whisker of getting promotion into 1A but we lost in the playoff.

“There has been performances by the second XV over the years which have been just as important, it’s nice to see some guys who have come through the club system and gone onto higher things as well as the likes of the Heaney’s, Olding’s and Annett’s who have gone on to high honours with Ulster and elsewhere, you have a year or two or maybe three with those guys and it’s nice to see them on their way and just provide and atmosphere that will put them in good stead for when they move on.

Larkin is going to access his options before deciding whether to stay in the game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“When you are working full time it is a big sacrifice as most coaches will tell you, I think I will enjoy a bit of time off but maybe after a month or two I’ll start to get that itch again, I’m not looking too far ahead at the moment and see what happens and take it from there.”