Coach's Lab with John Murphy

Get my weekly Coaching & Sport Science email:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773
Performance Analysis Community of Practice Event – 21 November 2026:
https://www.universe.com/events/gaelic-games-performance-analysis-community-of-practice-event-21st-nov-2026-tickets-WVKYNH?ref=share-widget-buffer
Performance Analysis & Feedback Course at ATU:
https://www.atu.ie/courses/certificate-learning-design-for-sports-performance-feedback
Performance Analysis should help coaches ask better questions, not simply provide answers.
In this episode of Coach's Lab, I'm joined by Fintan Kennedy, performance analyst and lecturer at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), to explore the role of performance analysis in Gaelic Games and how it can contribute to better coaching, feedback and player development.
We discuss how performance analysis has evolved beyond collecting statistics and tagging matches, and why understanding the coach's game model, building relationships with players and asking meaningful questions are essential to making analysis useful.
Fintan also draws on his research into failure and vulnerability in high-performing teams. We explore how coaches can use mistakes, setbacks and challenging conversations as opportunities for learning, rather than simply focusing on what went wrong.
A particularly interesting part of the conversation centres on the importance of connection, support, fun, challenge and focus in developing effective team environments.
Topics covered include:
The role of performance analysis in Gaelic Games

Helping coaches ask better questions

Co-designing game models and identifying meaningful performance indicators

Using video feedback to support player learning

Balancing statistics with qualitative observations

Building trust between coaches, analysts and players

Learning from failure and managing conflict

Vulnerability and relationships in high-performing teams

Developing positive team environments

The importance of communities of practice and shared learning

We also discuss the upcoming Gaelic Games Performance Analysis Community of Practice Event and opportunities for coaches and analysts to further develop their knowledge through ATU.
While performance analysis provides the starting point, much of the conversation is relevant to anyone involved in coaching, managing or developing teams.
Coach's Lab with Dr John Murphy explores the science and practice of coaching, strength and conditioning, skill acquisition and player development in Gaelic Games.

Get my weekly coaching & Sport Science email:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773
In this episode of Coach's Lab, I’m joined by Jamie Dalton and Diarmaid Carr for a practical discussion on Strength & Conditioning and athletic development for young GAA players.
We explore how S&C should develop as players progress from Minor through to U20, including what to prioritise in the gym, developing speed and conditioning, planning across the season and balancing physical preparation with the demands of hurling and football.
A recurring theme throughout the conversation is the importance of doing the basics well, and doing them frequently. We discuss fundamental movement patterns, gradually progressing strength training and why the gym should ultimately support what players are trying to do on the pitch.
We also look at physical testing and monitoring, including sprint testing, strength, jumping and aerobic fitness, alongside the practical question of how much testing coaches actually need. Jamie and Diarmaid discuss their experiences using the 1.2km test, Bronco, GPS and other monitoring tools, and why collecting more data isn't necessarily better if it doesn't inform what you do next.
Topics include:
S&C for Minor and U20 GAA players
Introducing young players to the gym
Strength and movement development
Speed and acceleration
Conditioning for Gaelic Games
Planning across the season
Physical testing
GPS and training-load monitoring
Nutrition and recovery habits
Building relationships with players and coaches
Technology in S&C
Doing the basics well
Follow the guests on Instagram:
Jamie Dalton — @jamieddolly
Diarmaid Carr — @diarmaidcarr
Join my weekly coaching & Sport Science email:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773

Get my weekly coaching & Sport Science email:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773
Research, reports & documents mentioned in this episode:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jvkBcR7-Z5MZXZLndN05AL5DCUGRbB9i?usp=sharing
In this episode of Coach's Lab, I’m joined by Jack Cooney, Player Development Lead with the GAA, to discuss the future of player and coach development in Gaelic Games.
We explore the philosophy behind the GAA Player Pathway and THRIVE Player & Coach Development Programme, and what these developments could mean for clubs, schools, development squads/talent academies, coaches and young players.
A major theme throughout the conversation is holistic, long-term player development. Jack explains the idea of providing development “just in time, just for me” – recognising that two players of the same age can have very different developmental needs.
We discuss what research tells us about why young people play Gaelic Games, the importance of enjoyment and competitiveness, growth and maturation, games-based coaching, supporting volunteer coaches and creating better learning environments.
We also explore one of the major challenges facing young players: managing involvement across club, school, county and other sports. How can coaches communicate better across these environments? How do we manage players who may be overexposed while also creating opportunities for those who aren't getting enough exposure? And how can we better support dual and multi-sport players?
Topics include:
The GAA Player Pathway
Holistic player development
“Just in time, just for me”
Why young people play and stay involved
Growth and maturation
Coach education and development
Games-based coaching
The THRIVE programme
Development squads and talent academies
Club, school and county workloads
Supporting dual and multi-sport players
Psychological development in young players
Jack also discusses his research into the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence (PCDEs) and the potential role coaches can play in developing these psychological skills through everyday coaching.
GAA THRIVE / Player Development video:
https://youtu.be/pa9th682e0g
Related Coach's Lab video:
https://youtu.be/5MAD8H7g0Tk
Research, reports & documents mentioned:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jvkBcR7-Z5MZXZLndN05AL5DCUGRbB9i?usp=sharing
Join my weekly coaching & Sport Science email:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773
Related Resources

Get my weekly coaching & Sport Science email:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773
Irish Strength & Conditioning Conference 2026:
https://irishsandcnetwork.circle.so/c/iscn-news/irish-strength-conditioning-conference-2026
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
Join my weekly coaching & Sport Science email:
https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773

Join my free weekly coaching newsletter:
Sign up here
Philip O’Callaghan’s Constraints-Led Approach Coaching Blueprint:
Learn more and sign up here
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.
Philip O’Callaghan’s Constraints-Led Approach Coaching Blueprint:
Course information and sign-up
Coach’s Lab weekly newsletter:
Join the email list