Liam Bradley, commonly known by his nickname Baker, is a Gaelic football manager[1] and former player for Glenullin and the Derry county team.
[4] When Bradley was growing up, his home-club Glenullin, did not have any underage teams at the time due to a lack of population in the area.
[4] His team-mates on the Kilrea team included a young Martin O'Neill, who would go on to play and coach professional soccer.
[4] Bradley played full back when St Pat's, Maghera won the 1977 MacRory Cup final against Abbey C.B.S., Newry.
[4] Bradley also hails Ballinderry's Adrian McGuckin as an inspirational influence, who taught him most of what he knows about coaching football.
[6] Bradley took over as manager of home-club Glenullin in 2005,[7] and guided them to success in the 2007 Derry Championship, where they beat Bellaghy in the final after a replay.
[10] He applied for the Derry Senior manager's job in late 2004 for the 2005 season, but the role eventually went to Mickey Moran.
[10] Bradley was a selector in 2006,[4] but stood down from the role in February 2007, stating he wanted to concentrate on managing Glenullin.
Shortly before the nomination deadline of 17 October 2008,[14] on the advice of his sons Paddy and Eoin, "good friend" Richard Ferris and Tony Scullion, Bradley applied for the vacant Antrim senior football manager's job.
[4] Interviews for the position were held on Wednesday 22 October,[10] and a day later the Antrim County Board secretary Frankie Quinn released a statement stating Bradley had been installed as new Antrim manager for three years, subject to an annual review.
[10] Bradley commented "I wanted he job because I see a lot of potential in Antrim," and went on to say "But I am under no illusions about the work me and my backroom team will have to do.
[10] His other selector was Paddy McNeill of Rasharkin, and Creggan's Tony McCollum served as liaison officer.
He stated their aim at the start of the year as gaining promotion from Division 4 of the National Football League.
Against the odds they defeated both Donegal and Cavan to qualify for the county's first Ulster Championship final in 39 years.
They were beaten in the decider by reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone, but Antrim gained a lot of admiration for their performance in the match.