Coach's Lab with John Murphy

👉 Free Youth Athletic Development Programme + 5-Day Email Course: https://fhs-performance.kit.com/a441db6d48👉 Paul Kilgannon’s 2026 Carver Coaching Community Programme: https://carvercoachingframework.com/product/2026-carver-coaching-community-programme/?mc_cid=5c49bc1cb6&mc_eid=24d11d3dc9What separates good coaches from truly great ones?In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Kilgannon, Coach Developer and Performance Consultant, to explore the building blocks of coaching craft: your philosophy, your skills, your tools, and how you influence the people around you.We discuss:Why simplicity is a superpower in coachingCoaching skills vs coaching tools — and how to use each properlyHow to shape your coaching philosophy (“This Is Me”)Designing purposeful sessions, questions, games & conversationsBackroom teams: roles, relationships and psychological safetyReflective practice — how to genuinely improve as a coachWhat’s undervalued and overrated in modern coachingIf you coach in GAA or any sport, this episode will help you rethink how you plan, communicate, and build the environments where athletes learn and perform.

👉 Free Youth Athletic Development Programme + 5-Day Email Course: https://fhs-performance.kit.com/a441db6d48What can GAA coaches learn from professional soccer? In this episode, I’m joined by Shane Keegan — UEFA Pro Licence coach, former League of Ireland manager, and Games Manager with Laois GAA.We dig into how coaching principles transfer across sports, and why the best coaches focus on clarity, communication, and designing sessions with purpose.What we cover:The biggest lessons GAA can take from soccerHow to design sessions around clear objectivesWhole–Part–Whole: when and how to use itPlayer communication and simple, effective feedback“Repetition without repetition” for real skill developmentUsing analysis and data to shape a game modelLeadership, relationships, and managing playersA brilliant conversation for any coach interested in improving how they plan, communicate, and create meaningful training environments.

Free Youth Athletic Development Programme + 5-Day Email Course: https://fhs-performance.kit.com/a441db6d48How fit should underage GAA players be — and what does the data actually say?I’m joined by Lorcan Daly (TUS) to unpack 10+ years of county development-squad testing: what was measured, why it matters, and how coaches should interpret results for real player development (not box-ticking).What we cover:Testing vs monitoring: using numbers to guide, not judgeKey measures: sprint speed, jumps, Yo-Yo, body compositionGrowth & maturation: why “normal” progress isn’t linearPositional notes: why GKs and midfielders often look differentSpeed–momentum explained (speed × mass) and why it’s usefulPractical takeaways for coaches & parentsIf you coach youth Hurling or Gaelic Football, this episode gives you clear, level-headed guidance on what to track and how to use it to support long-term development. Subscribe for weekly GAA coaching, S&C, and skill development episodes.

Sign up for my free weekly GAA coaching insights here:👉 https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773📹 Related video: How to Blend Games with Runs in GAA Conditioning👉 https://youtu.be/ku7lN2W5T8k?si=fbyb3VEds6BKi7tz📸 Follow Cian O’Dea on Instagram:👉 @cianodea_sc💼 Learn about my Youth S&C Consultancy Services:👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WyrxfpBLkpQDXeS1SqevwohFmEtOq_xFtW9s6W5FOnU/edit?usp=sharingIn this episode of Coach’s Lab, Dr John Murphy is joined by Cian O’Dea — Strength & Conditioning coach, Coach Education Manager, and PhD researcher — to discuss the physical and tactical impact of a Games-Based Approach in Gaelic Games.Cian shares findings from his research on how different game formats influence fitness, speed, and decision-making, and how coaches can build sessions that are both engaging and physically demanding.We chat about:🏐 Designing games that develop skill and conditioning🧠 Blending small-sided and large-sided formats for different outcomes🔁 When and how to include top-up running outside games📊 The physiological demands revealed through Cian’s studies🎯 Practical takeaways for coaches balancing realism, fun, and load managementWhether you’re a GAA coach, S&C practitioner, or PE teacher, this conversation offers practical, evidence-based strategies to help you get more from every session.Follow Coach’s Lab for weekly conversations on Gaelic Games, coaching, sports science, and athletic development.#GAA #StrengthAndConditioning #GamesBasedApproach #Coaching #AthleteDevelopment #SportsScience #GaelicFootball #Hurling

Sign up for my free weekly GAA coaching insights here:👉 https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773In this episode of Coach’s Lab, Dr John Murphy is joined by Donnacha Mulcahy, Lecturer in Strength & Conditioning at TUS and S&C Coach with the Tipperary Senior Hurling and Football teams.Donnacha has worked across GAA, rugby, and schools rugby systems, giving him a unique view of what connects and separates elite sport, youth development, and coach education in Ireland.Together we discuss:🏋️‍♂️ Integrating new players into adult panels and managing different training ages📊 Monitoring load, jump testing, and profiling in intercounty squads⚡ Preparing underage athletes for the physical demands of senior sport🔄 Lessons GAA can learn from rugby’s structured coach-education model🤝 How to balance theory, experience, and enjoyment in S&C🧠 Why “keeping it simple” often delivers the best resultsDonnacha’s blend of academic insight and on-the-ground coaching experience makes this one a must-listen for anyone serious about athlete development in Gaelic Games.Follow Coach’s Lab for more conversations on Gaelic Games, coaching, youth development, and applied sports science.#GAA #StrengthAndConditioning #Coaching #AthleteDevelopment #SportsScience #GaelicFootball #Hurling