The hidden reason for ACL injuries in GAA & why females are far more at risk
What factors contribute to the high prevalence of ACL injuries in the GAA and why are females more at risk? Why do hurlers recover better from ACL surgery than footballers? And how are GAA players outpacing the AFL in return-to-play rates?These are just some of the findings from the biggest ever ACL study in the GAA.One of its lead authors, rehab specialist, biomechanics PhD, and Kildare S&C coach Neil Welch, breaks it all down on this week’s episode of the Humans of Gaelic podcast.He also shares advice on what players and coaches are still getting wrong in ACL rehab. In this episode, we also cover:• The role of the inter-county S&C coach in the off-season• Hamstring injuries and the best exercises to help prevent them• How to structure ACL rehab for better outcomes• Warm-up design for injury prevention• The role of movement analysis in spotting risk early• Exercises every player should be doing to protect their ACL• ACL recovery rates in GAA vs pro sports• Why female players are more at risk of ACL injuries than malesWhether you’re a coach, an athlete returning from injury, or just want to avoid common mistakes - this is essential listening.*************Time stamps:ACL injury trends in GAA (3:45)Why most rehab skips cutting work (9:00)Is NordBord testing enough? (15:30)Key benchmarks before returning to play (22:15)Hamstring strain risks during deceleration (28:00)Why multi-directional mechanics matter (35:00)What AFL can teach GAA (42:00)How to assess movement quality (47:30)*************➕ We've got some great guests coming up. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes.Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the Humans of Gaelic podcast wherever you're listening.⭐ Leave a Review: If you found value in this episode, please give it a rating and review - it helps us hugely!📢 Share the Episode: Know someone who’d benefit from this? Share it to help us spread the word!Follow Along📍 Website: humansofgaelic.com📸 Instagram: @humansofgaelic📘 Facebook: Humans of Gaelic🎥 TikTok: @humansofgaelic
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45:20
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45:20
The truth about half-time team talks: from an expert with Brazil & GAA counties
Is your half-time team talk doing more harm than good? Armagh native and GAA coach Eamon Devlin is the specialist who changes the way world-class sports teams approach half-time.He worked with Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and now Brazil, while he also consults for Argentina Rugby, several inter-county GAA teams, Premier League clubs and NBA sides to help them fix the most chaotic 15 minutes in sport.We talk about:The biggest mistakes GAA coaches make at half-timeWhat world class coaches like Carlo Ancelotti and Felipe Contepomi have in commonWhy emotional regulation is the coach’s first jobHow Real Madrid and the All-Blacks structure their team-talksWhat happens when you give out too many messages?Should the full management team go into the dressing room?Is letting your opponents wait on the pitch at HT beneficial?When should players flip the switch pre-game?Whether you're a coach or chasing an edge as a player, this episode will permanently change how you think about game day and half-time.➕ We've got some great guests coming up. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any episodes.****************************𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝****************************Subscribe to the Humans of Gaelic podcast wherever you're listening.Leave a Review: If you found value in this episode, please give it a rating and review. It helps us hugelyShare the Episode: Know someone who'd enjoy this show? Share it and help us spread the word!****************************𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠****************************For more performance tips, insights, and the latest updates, visit:Website: humansofgaelic.comInstagram: @humansofgaelicFacebook: Humans of GaelicTikTok: @humansofgaelic
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53:45
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53:45
Sleep expert for GAA: The truth about Whoop, naps, blue light, caffeine & alcohol
If you’re training hard but still feeling sluggish, flat, or injured — your sleep is probably the missing piece.In this episode, elite sleep coach Tom Coleman breaks down the science behind high performance recovery, and why most GAA players are undermining their progress every night.We talk about:The most common sleep disruptors for club playersWhat evening games and late training sessions do to your nervous systemWhy caffeine timing matters more than you thinkThe 5-minute bedtime routine to help you recover fasterAnd how county players are now using sleep as a weaponWhether you're chasing fitness gains, better focus or just want to feel fresher for matches — this episode will give you a serious edge.➕ We've got some great guests coming up. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any episodes.****************************𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝****************************Subscribe to the Humans of Gaelic podcast wherever you're listening.Leave a Review: If you found value in this episode, please give it a rating and review. It helps us hugelyShare the Episode: Know someone who'd enjoy this show? Share it and help us spread the word!****************************𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠****************************For more performance tips, insights, and the latest updates, visit:Website: humansofgaelic.comInstagram: @humansofgaelicFacebook: Humans of GaelicTikTok: @humansofgaelic
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49:58
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49:58
Why can’t more Gaelic footballers use both feet? Are we coaching the solo wrong?
Most Gaelic footballers — even at the top level — are still heavily one-sided. In this fascinating episode, Karol Dillon breaks down the science and psychology behind laterality, the gap between drills and decisions, and how to truly develop more two-sided players.We explore:Why elite players still avoid their weaker side under pressureHow cross-lateral athletes like David Clifford (e.g. left foot/right hand) have an advantageWhy coaching for two-footedness must start before the ball is introducedHow pressure and fatigue force players back to their dominant sideThe overlooked role of parents and informal practiceWhy coaching the “weaker side” needs a complete rethinkTactical consequences of having too many right-footed players➕ We've got some great guests coming up. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any episodes.****************************𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝****************************Subscribe to the Humans of Gaelic podcast wherever you're listening.Leave a Review: If you found value in this episode, please give it a rating and review. It helps us hugelyShare the Episode: Know someone who'd enjoy this show? Share it and help us spread the word!****************************𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠****************************For more performance tips, insights, and the latest updates, visit:Website: humansofgaelic.comInstagram: @humansofgaelicFacebook: Humans of GaelicTikTok: @humansofgaelic
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42:34
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42:34
Why you’re not getting faster for GAA – and what your warm-ups are missing
Paudie Kissane – 2010 All-Ireland winner with Cork, now an S&C coach and owner of his own athlete development company.In this episode, we unpack:How Paudie transitioned from inter-county football to high-performance coachingThe myths around S&C in club setupsWhy most speed training is poorly implemented in GAAHow warm-ups and training loads must adapt to the new rulesWhat players and coaches can do to future-proof their performance➕ We've got some great guests coming up. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any episodes.****************************𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝****************************Subscribe to the Humans of Gaelic podcast wherever you're listening.Leave a Review: If you found value in this episode, please give it a rating and review. It helps us hugelyShare the Episode: Know someone who'd enjoy this show? Share it and help us spread the word!****************************𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠****************************For more performance tips, insights, and the latest updates, visit:Website: humansofgaelic.comInstagram: @humansofgaelicFacebook: Humans of GaelicTikTok: @humansofgaelic
Ireland