Coach's Lab with John Murphy

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Read the paper discussed in this episode: Player Development Pathways in Gaelic Games
In this episode of Coach's Lab, I'm joined by Rob Mulcahy to discuss his latest research examining player development pathways in Gaelic Games and what happens to players after they're selected to inter-county development squads.
Rob's research follows players from Under 14 through to senior inter-county level, exploring how many progress, the different routes they take, and what the findings mean for talent identification and long-term player development. Alongside the research, we also discuss practical lessons from Rob's work redesigning development squads within Clare GAA.
Who this episode is for:
GAA coaches
LGFA and Camogie coaches
Games Development Officers
Coach Developers
Strength & Conditioning coaches
PE teachers
Parents of talented young athletes
Anyone interested in talent identification and player development
What the episode covers:
The purpose of inter-county development squads
How players progress from U14 to senior inter-county
Why talent development is rarely a linear process
Selection bias and biological maturation
A teams, B teams and widening player opportunities
Bio-banding and its potential role in Gaelic Games
Creating development-focused environments
The relationship between clubs, schools and county squads
Practical recommendations for improving talent development systems
This conversation combines new research with practical coaching experience to provide evidence-informed insights for anyone involved in developing young players in Gaelic Games.

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In this episode of Coach's Lab, I sit down with Peter Wright of Petey Performance to discuss one of the most challenging aspects of coaching and athletic development: helping players return from injury and preparing them for the demands of competition.
Pete has built a reputation working with Gaelic Games athletes and other field sport players, helping bridge the gap between rehabilitation and performance. This conversation explores how coaches, physios and S&C practitioners can better prepare athletes for the realities of training and match play after injury.
Who this podcast is for:
GAA coaches
S&C coaches
Physiotherapists and sports therapists
Athletic development coaches
Players returning from injury
Coaches responsible for player welfare and availability
What the podcast covers:
Return to play vs return to performance
Building effective return-to-running progressions
Reintroducing speed and high-speed running
Preparing athletes for the demands of training and competition
Criteria-based rehabilitation
Conditioning during injury recovery
Managing recurring soft tissue injuries
The role of diagnosis in rehabilitation planning
Collaboration between coaches, physios and athletes
Health, body composition and injury risk
Why micro-dosing speed and plyometrics can be valuable year-round
Pete's podcast:
The Athlete's Advantage Podcast
Follow Pete:
Instagram: @peteyperformance
A practical episode for anyone looking to better understand the journey from injury rehabilitation back to confident, high-level performance.

In this episode of Coach’s Lab, I’m joined by Darren Lewis, performance analysis consultant and researcher at Atlantic Technological University, to discuss his recently published paper proposing the ACE Model of Video-Based Feedback Design.
Darren has worked in professional rugby and consultancy roles across multiple sports, with a particular interest in how video analysis and feedback can better support learning, decision-making and performance.
This conversation explores how coaches and analysts can move beyond simply “showing clips” and instead design more effective, athlete-centred feedback sessions.
Who this podcast is for:
GAA coaches

Performance analysts

S&C coaches

PE teachers and coach educators

Coaches using video feedback in team sports

Anyone interested in coaching, learning and skill acquisition

What the podcast covers:
The ACE model explained

Designing effective video-based feedback sessions

Athlete-centred vs coach-centred approaches

Improving player engagement and discussion

Key messages, questioning and scaffolding

Positive vs negative feedback and athlete confidence

Evaluating whether feedback sessions actually work

Opposition analysis vs focusing on your own team

Transfer of learning from meetings to match performance

Video analysis in youth sport

The future impact of AI on performance analysis

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Full paper discussed in this episode:
The ACE Model of Video-Based Feedback Design

Join my weekly coaching & performance email list:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773
What does physical preparation look like inside two of the best club teams in Ireland?
In this episode of Coach’s Lab, I’m joined by Shane O'Rourke (Dingle) and Darragh Mulcahy (Ballygunner), the strength & conditioning coaches behind the reigning All-Ireland club football and hurling champions.
We discuss how elite club teams manage:
Conditioning and athletic development

Gym integration within busy club schedules

County player management

Recovery and load monitoring

Second team fixtures and player availability

Aerobic conditioning, speed and repeat sprint work

Communication across the backroom team

Building player buy-in and long-term trust

This is a practical conversation about the realities of club GAA and how successful teams balance performance, workload and preparation across long seasons.
A valuable listen for GAA coaches, S&C coaches, athletic development coaches and players interested in high-performance club environments.

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What do kids actually need from sport — and are we getting it wrong?
In this episode of Coach’s Lab, I sit down with Colman Noctor, child and adolescent psychotherapist, to explore the role sport plays in the psychological, social and emotional development of young people.
We move beyond drills, fitness and results to look at the real impact coaching has on children, and how small changes in approach can shape their long-term experience in sport.
We discuss:
What children need from sport at different ages
The balance between fun, development and competition
Why more kids are dropping out of sport
The influence of parents, coaches and environment
Coaching your own child and managing expectations
What to say (and not say) after games
A thought-provoking episode for coaches, parents, teachers and anyone involved in youth sport, focused on creating environments where kids can enjoy, develop and stay involved for life.