Episode 7 - Ciarán Sheehan: Passion, Pressure and Pushing Through
What does it take to leave behind everything familiar and start again on the other side of the world - professionally, personally, and mentally?
In this episode of Beyond The Game, Ciarán Sheehan shares his remarkable journey from All Ireland winning Cork GAA star to professional AFL player with Carlton Football Club in Melbourne.
Ciarán reflects on his early love for sport, the joy of playing multiple codes, and the shift from community-driven GAA to the high-pressure environment of professional sport. He opens up about the physical and mental toll of injury setbacks, how he navigated change, and the identity challenges that come with life after elite sport.
Taking his knowledge from working in player welfare and development role, Ciarán now leads people at Green rebel one of Ireland's biggest green energy suppliers bringing thoughtful insight into working with people, supporting others through transition, and the lessons he’s carried with him from sport into real life.
Topics Covered:
- Transitioning from Cork GAA to professional AFL
- Managing injury setbacks - physically and mentally
- Adjusting to a new culture and professional system
- Supporting others through change and personal development
- Balancing performance, wellbeing, and staying grounded in joy
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.
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Episode 6 - Derval O'Rourke: Life After The Finish Line
How do you transition from the intense world of high-performance sport to leading a business, raising a family, and building a new identity?
In this episode of Beyond The Game, Derval O'Rourke - World Champion hurdler, three-time Olympian, successful entrepreneur, and proud mum of two - shares her honest journey of moving beyond elite athletics.
Derval opens up about the challenging transition away from the structured world of sport, how long it truly took to settle into "normal life," and the mindset shifts she had to make to thrive in business leadership.
She also reflects on parenting lessons, including how she’s learned to park her competitive instincts when it comes to raising her children—and why redefining success matters more now than ever.
Topics Covered:
The emotional transition away from elite sport
Mindset shifts from individual sport to business leadership
Balancing ambition with parenting and real life
Building resilience and patience beyond competition
Redefining success beyond medals and titles
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.
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Episode 5 - Paul Kerrigan: Championship Mindset, Legacy & the Psychology of Performance
What does it take to carry the weight of a family legacy, help your county to All-Ireland glory, and stay driven through over a decade of elite-level sport?
In this episode of Beyond The Game, All-Ireland winner and Cork football legend Paul Kerrigan opens up about the mindset that drove his success, the pressure and pride of living up to his name, and the role of reflective practice and psychology in building resilience both on and off the pitch.
Now a qualified sports psychologist, Paul shares the powerful tools and strategies that apply far beyond sport—into business, leadership, and everyday life.
Topics Covered:
Developing a relentless, championship-winning mindset
Embracing pressure and honouring a proud family legacy
Leadership from the pitch to life’s bigger arenas
Reflective practice as a driver for growth
Mental tools that fuel performance in sport, business, and life
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.
What does it take to transition from a successful business career to owning one of Ireland’s most passionate football clubs?
In this episode of Beyond The Game, Dermot Usher shares the lessons he’s learned applying business principles to sport, the resilience required to bounce back from setbacks, and the deep belief that football clubs can be a powerful force for connection and community.
From navigating the challenge of relegation to building a trusted support network and laying the foundation for Cork City FC’s return to the top, Dermot reflects on leadership, adversity, and the strength it takes to stay the course.
Topics Covered:
Transferrable lessons from the business world to football leadership
Overcoming adversity and bouncing back from relegation
Building a support system of people you can trust
The power of sport in creating connection and combating loneliness
Leadership through uncertainty and long-term vision
Bringing Cork City FC back to where it belongs
Listen, like and subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.
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Episode 3: Full Speed Ahead: Phil Healy on Balancing Sport, STEM & Striving for Success
What does it take to balance elite sport, a full-time career, and breaking barriers in STEM—all while competing at the highest level?
In this episode of Beyond The Game, Phil Healy gives a rare insight into the discipline, mindset, and time management strategies that have helped her become a European champion, two-time Olympian, and leading advocate for women in STEM.
From navigating motivation over the long haul to overcoming injuries and autoimmune challenges, Phil shares the tools that have kept her performing at an elite level—while still finding ways to enjoy the journey, even under pressure.
Topics Covered:
- How to stay motivated & disciplined over long periods of time
- Tools & strategies to push through tough days
- Balancing elite sport with a full-time career in STEM
- Overcoming injuries & autoimmune challenges
- Championing young women to enter male-dominated industries
- The importance of having fun—even in high-pressure environments
Listen, like and subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.
Beyond The Game explores the mindset, resilience, and high-performance habits of elite athletes, expert coaches, and experienced business leaders from the world of high performance sport.
Hosted by Paul Cahill and Jonny Holland, each episode examines the success and the struggles—revealing lessons learned along the way that have allowed our guests find success within their professional and personal lives.
Expect conversations and applicable learnings on:
Resilience – Overcoming setbacks & staying mentally strong
Mindset – The psychology behind peak performance
Leadership – Lessons from sport that apply to business & life
Winning Habits – The routines & discipline that drive success
The principles and tools of leadership, resilience, and high performance don’t just belong in sport—they belong everywhere.
New episodes every fortnight. Listen, learn, and level up.
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