MSG Varsity named Norwalk High's Sean Ireland its Connecticut football coach of the year.
Photo credit: Eric Gendron

NORWALK, Conn. - First-year head coach Sean Ireland guided Norwalk High to its first trip in 13 years to the state playoffs, putting Bears football back on the radar as a contender. Now MSG-Varsity has named Ireland its Connecticut coach of the year.

Norwalk went 9-2 this season with its biggest regular season victories coming over Stamford and fellow playoff qualifier Ridgefield. Norwalk defeated Conard in the Class LL state quarterfinals for its first postseason victory in program history. The Bears fell to eventual Class LL champion Xavier in the state semifinals. Norwalk placed a league-high nine players on the all-conference first team.

Ireland graduated from Norwalk High in 1996. He had been the team's offensive coordinator under former head coach Pete Tucci.

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