The Coaching Field

Jacqui Hurley is one of Ireland’s leading sports broadcasters and author of the best selling children's book series Girls Play Too.

In 2009, she became the first ever female anchor of Sunday Sport on RTE Radio One. She is now the lead anchor of RTE’s rugby coverage on television. She also presents The Sunday Game and Inside Sport on RTE Radio One.

She has anchored all of the major sporting events, including the Olympics, World Cups, the Euro’s & multiple All Ireland finals.

In our chat we spoke about her own background in sport, her involvement in coaching in her local club, and the importance of access for women and girls.

We also chatted about her new business venture, Good Neighbour, and why she decided to launch the business.

Produced by @cutdownstudios
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Orlaith is a Strength and Conditioning coach that has previously worked with the IRFU women's rugby programme with the pinnacle being the 2024 Olympics. She has also worked across Irish Hockey and Gaelic games teams.
Orlaith completed her PhD from DCU where she focused on Talent Development Environments in Female Team Sports.
In early 2026, along with Lucy Rock and Michael Rock, she launched Femily - a space for women to receive online coaching in the performance space. Family focuses on delivering S&C programmes for female athletes in Gaelic games, along with expert advice and education.
We discussed how she managed progressing her career in a male-dominated area, the importance of S&C for female athletes, and how her new business is challenging the traditional approach for S&C in Gaelic games.
Follow Femily on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/femilydotco?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&obrf=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Produced by @cutdownstudios
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aoife is Head of Department of Sport and Health Sciences in Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). Aoife leads the SHE Research Centre which focuses on Bridging the Gender Data Gap in Sport, Health and Exercise Science Research. She also is the co-chair of Míde Research, which is an all-island, cross-institute consortium set up to conduct high-quality interdisciplinary research around women and girls in sport.

Aoife is incredibly knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to women in sport and I learned so much during our chat. As the former chairperson of the Women’s Gaelic Players Association (WGPA) Aoife brings huge insight into how the WGPA and GPA successfully merged.

We spoke about the need for more research in the area of women's sport, the impact integration has for women in sport, and why it is so important to get involved with supporting causes close to your heart.
Aoife referenced these practical tools that can help coaches and players alike;
Female Athlete Toolkit | She Research
Menopause Toolkits | She Research
Produced by @cutdownstudios
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennie Rogers is the Head of Player Development and Wellbeing at the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), bringing together extensive experience in psychology, coaching, leadership, mental health and elite sport.
Jennie has 17 years of experience competing at inter-county level with Westmeath Ladies, representing her county from 2005 to 2021 and captaining the team in 2015 and 2016. At club level with her club Milltown Ladies, she won an Intermediate All-Ireland Club title and Leinster Club title in 2015, along with eight Westmeath Senior County Championship titles.
She is deeply passionate about supporting individuals to reach their potential and believes strongly in the power of sport as a catalyst for positive societal change, particularly in how we understand, discuss and support mental health.
We talked about the impact sport can have on young players and how it can change where you go in terms of college and careers.
Jennie also spoke about the role of the GPA, the power of bringing female and male players together, and why it is so important to support our players on and off the field.

Produced by @cutdownstudios
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neill Fleming is the owner/director of Cúl Sliotars. Founded in 2016 with his partner Liam Mockler, Cúl Sliotars provides a variety of sports equipment for gaelic games across Ireland.
Neill shares his journey from an intercounty player with Dublin hurling team, to his career path through business and entrepreneurship.
We chatted about the impact vision and drive has in local GAA clubs and how Naas have excelled at underage development, which has led to their success at adult levels.
This is a great listen for anyone interested in following their passion, and creating a business in an industry they love!

Note: We recorded this podcast on Wednesday 30 September. Neill referenced his sister, Mairéad, in our conversation and she passed away unexpectedly on Friday 2 October. Rest in peace.

Produced by @cutdownstudios
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.