Coach's Lab with John Murphy

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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https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773
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.

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https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773
How you coach — and why you do what you do — often matters more than the programme itself.
In this episode, I’m joined by Orlaith Curran, Head of Athletic Performance for Women’s Sevens and Pathway in the IRFU, to explore what really matters when working with female athletes.
Rather than getting caught up in exercises or session plans, this conversation focuses on the bigger picture — coaching approach, communication, environment and understanding the athlete in front of you.
We discuss:
Why the “how” and “why” matter more than the “what”
Key considerations when training female athletes
Differences in volume, intensity and conditioning demands
Injury risk, athletic development and pathway structures
The importance of education, buy-in and player understanding
Building environments that support performance and development
A practical and thought-provoking episode for GAA, rugby and field sport coaches, S&C practitioners, and anyone working with female athletes.

Join my weekly coaching & performance email list:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773
📥 Resources discussed in this episode:
Meaning in Youth Sport (MiYS): https://www.mic.ul.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/639/Getting%20Started%20with%20MiYS%202023%20ENG%20fnl.pdf
Voice & Choice in PE: https://www.irishprimarype.com/student-voice-in-pe/
Drowning in the Shallow – The 3Ps: https://drowningintheshallow.wordpress.com/2026/02/22/the-3ps-that-underpin-meaningful-pe/
What makes a meaningful experience in sport?
In this episode, we explore how coaches can move beyond drills and results to focus on what really matters — player experience, engagement and long-term participation.
We discuss key ideas from Meaningful Experiences in Youth Sport (MiYS), along with practical concepts like voice and choice and the 3Ps framework, and how they can be applied in real coaching environments.
We cover:
What players actually remember from sport

How to create engaging and enjoyable sessions

The role of autonomy and player voice

Balancing challenge and enjoyment

Practical ways to improve your coaching sessions

A valuable listen for coaches, teachers, parents and anyone working with young athletes looking to create more impactful and meaningful sporting experiences.