Coach's Lab with John Murphy

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In this episode of Coach's Lab, I’m joined by Dr David Nolan, Assistant Professor in Sport and Exercise Sciences at Dublin City University (DCU), applied sport scientist and one of the main organisers of the Irish Strength & Conditioning Conference.
We explore what sport science actually is, how it differs from strength and conditioning, and what coaches and practitioners need to understand about using research and evidence in the real world.
David describes the sport scientist as something like a GP for performance – someone with a broad understanding of the different factors influencing performance who can help coaches identify problems, interpret information and connect with specialists when required.
We also discuss the role of the S&C coach within a wider coaching team, why good physical preparation can often happen "in the shadows", and how practitioners can better integrate their work with what happens on the pitch.
A large part of the conversation focuses on research, evidence and critical thinking. We discuss why science rarely provides a definitive answer, the importance of understanding uncertainty and context, and how coaches can combine research evidence with practical experience when making decisions.
We also explore female athlete research, communication between academics and practitioners, the challenges of applying research to real-world sport, and what good interdisciplinary sport science support can look like.
Towards the end, David discusses the development of the Irish Strength & Conditioning Network and the upcoming Irish Strength & Conditioning Conference.
Topics include:
Sport science vs strength and conditioning
The role of the sport scientist
Integrating S&C with coaching and sports practice
Using data to support coaching decisions
Research evidence vs practical experience
Understanding uncertainty in sport science
Critical thinking for coaches
Female athlete research
Communication between researchers and practitioners
Applying research in real-world environments
The Irish Strength & Conditioning Conference
Follow David Nolan on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drdavidnolan/
Irish Strength & Conditioning Conference 2026:
https://irishsandcnetwork.circle.so/c/iscn-news/irish-strength-conditioning-conference-2026
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Philip O’Callaghan’s Constraints-Led Approach Coaching Blueprint:
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In this episode of Coach’s Lab, I’m joined by Skill Acquisition Specialist Philip O’Callaghan for a practical discussion on skill development, the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) and designing practice that better prepares players for the problems they encounter in competition.
We start with a fundamental question: what actually is skill?
Philip challenges the idea that developing skill is simply about teaching players the “correct” technique and then repeating it until it becomes automatic. Instead, we explore skill as the ability to find functional movement solutions to achieve a goal within an ever-changing environment.
That leads us into the practical application of the Constraints-Led Approach and what it means for coaches designing sessions.
We discuss:
What we actually mean by skill
Technique versus functional movement solutions
Why there may not be one “perfect” movement technique
How perception, decision-making and movement interact
What the Constraints-Led Approach actually is
Using constraints to influence player behaviour
Why constraints should guide rather than dictate solutions
Representative practice and maintaining the “DNA” of the game
The importance of variability and adaptability
Designing problems for players to solve
Knowing when to add, change or remove constraints
The role of observation in effective coaching
Where isolated and more traditional practice can still fit
How coaches can create practice that transfers more effectively to competition
We also explore some of the challenges coaches face when applying these ideas in the real world. A session can look organised, players can appear technically proficient and everything can seem to be going well—but that doesn’t necessarily mean meaningful learning is taking place.
For coaches working in Gaelic football, hurling, camogie or other team sports, the episode provides a practical introduction to skill acquisition without getting lost in terminology or theory.
If you’re interested in moving beyond simply collecting drills and instead becoming better at designing learning environments, there should be plenty to take from this conversation.
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Nathan Heaney – The Conditioning Consultant:
https://runningprogram.com.au/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/theconditioningconsultant/
Sportsmith Contributor Page:
https://www.sportsmith.co/contributors/nathan-heaney
Conditioning is one of the most debated topics in GAA coaching. Should you use games? MAS? Tempo running? Long intervals? Short intervals? Or are we asking the wrong questions altogether?
In this episode of Coach's Lab with Dr John Murphy, I'm joined by Nathan Heaney (The Conditioning Consultant) to discuss the principles behind effective conditioning for Gaelic Games and other field sports.
Rather than arguing for one particular method, Nathan explains how coaches can make better decisions based on the demands of the sport, the phase of the season, and the specific adaptation they're trying to achieve.
We discuss:
• What Maximum Aerobic Speed (MAS) really is
• The biggest misconceptions around MAS training
• Different categories of conditioning and when to use them
• Games-based conditioning versus isolated running
• Using Yo-Yo, Beep and Bronco tests to prescribe training
• Individualising conditioning for players
• How conditioning should evolve across the season
• Practical advice for coaches working in Gaelic football, hurling, camogie and LGFA
Nathan has worked extensively in AFL and with coaches across a range of sports, helping bridge the gap between research and real-world practice. This conversation is packed with practical ideas that coaches can apply immediately to improve how they plan and deliver conditioning.
If you enjoy the episode, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with another coach who might find it useful.
More Free Resources
Free Games-Based Conditioning Guide:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/cb11069f54
Free Youth Athletic Development Programme & 5-Day Email Course:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/a441db6d48

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In this episode of Coach's Lab, I sit down with Shane Hassett, coach with the Clare senior hurling team and founder of Master Coach Consultancy, to explore how elite coaches design training sessions, develop a game model and connect every activity back to how they want their team to play.
Shane shares his journey from strength & conditioning into senior intercounty coaching and explains how his background in sport science continues to shape his coaching philosophy. We discuss representative practice, constraints-led coaching, principles of play, session planning, games-based conditioning and how coaches can better integrate physical development into technical and tactical sessions.
Whether you coach hurling, Gaelic football, camogie or any invasion sport, this conversation is packed with practical ideas that you can immediately apply to your own coaching.
In this episode we discuss:
Shane's journey from S&C to senior intercounty coaching
Building a game model and principles of play
Designing representative training sessions
Using constraints to shape player behaviour
Games-based conditioning and integrating S&C
Balancing drills with game-based practice
Planning around the opposition while maintaining your identity
Practical advice for coaches at every level
Connect with Shane:
https://mastercoachconsultancy.com/
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If you enjoy the podcast, please follow the show and leave a rating or review—it really helps more coaches discover the podcast.

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Sprint & Speed Development Resources Mentioned:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ0BRPgUxb8&list=LL&index=118
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-6YEP9bygg&t=1487s&pp=ygUSc3ByaW50IG1hc3RlcmNsYXNz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bALARm283e4&pp=ygUYc3ByaW50IG1hc3RlcmNsYXNzIGpvbmFz
Recommended YouTube Resources:
Speedworks Training

ALTIS World

Les Spellman

How do we know if our athletes are actually getting faster?
What distances should we use when testing acceleration and maximum velocity? How reliable are timing gates and GPS? And once we have collected the data, how can we use it to improve training?
In this episode of Coach's Lab, I’m joined by Dr Eddie McGuinness to discuss speed profiling, sprint testing and the practical development of faster athletes.
Eddie is an Assistant Professor in Athletic Therapy and Training and Strength & Conditioning at DCU. He completed his PhD research on speed profiling and combines his academic work with experience as an S&C coach, athletic therapist and senior inter-county Gaelic footballer.
In this episode, we discuss:
What speed profiling is and why it can be useful

Assessing acceleration and maximum velocity

The best distances for testing speed

How to set up reliable sprint tests

5m vs 10m acceleration testing

Timing gates vs GPS

Using speed profiles to inform training

Speed testing and talent identification

Whether speed training should be sport-specific

What actually makes an athlete faster

Force production, force expression and force application

Strength training and speed development

Developing sprint mechanics

The role of drills, skips, wall exercises and actual sprinting

Using video feedback to improve sprint technique

Male and female considerations for speed development

A practical hierarchy for developing faster athletes

Why simple and reliable testing can be more valuable than collecting endless data

Throughout the conversation, Eddie provides practical recommendations for coaches looking to test and develop speed without unnecessarily complicating the process.
A useful episode for GAA coaches, S&C coaches, athletic development practitioners, sport scientists and anyone interested in understanding how to test, profile and develop faster athletes.