Coach's Lab with John Murphy

🎯 Grab the GAA In-Season Speed Guide:https://fhs-performance.kit.com/products/gaa-in-season-speed-guideIn this episode, we take a clear-eyed look at the current state of youth player development in Gaelic Games — what’s working, what’s not, and what we can do better. Drawing on research, practical coaching experience, and system-level insights, we explore the real environments young players are growing up in, and how we can support them more effectively.You’ll learn:Why the best 14-year-old doesn’t always become the best 20-year-oldCommon pitfalls in talent identification and how to avoid themHow late developers, multi-sport athletes, and early burnout all tie into your coaching decisionsThe real meaning of “development” beyond drills and skillsKey messages for parents, coaches, and county board stakeholdersIf you're a coach, S&C, or development officer working with young players — this one’s for you. Expect honest reflection, practical solutions, and some uncomfortable truths.🔗 Watch the YouTube version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44AWd_3d7jc&ab_channel=DrJohnMurphy📲 Follow for more coaching insights on Instagram: @john.murphydrTwitter/X: @fhsperformance

Carb Loading for GAA Players: How to Fuel for PerformanceChampionship season is here—and that means it's time to fuel up properly. In this episode, we take a deep dive into carbohydrate loading for GAA players, covering common mistakes, practical strategies, and simple food swaps that can massively impact your energy, recovery, and match-day performance.Drawing from sport science, nutrition research, and real-world coaching experience across Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie, we break down:Why carbs matter more than ever in-seasonHow much you actually need (spoiler: it’s probably more than you think)What foods work best—and what to avoidStep-by-step strategies to gradually increase intake without feeling bloatedReal-life examples and meal templates from club and intercounty players🎯 Whether you’re a player, coach, or parent, this episode will give you the tools to fuel smarter and perform better week after week.📥 Download the free Nutrition Cheat Sheet (includes carb-loading guide):👉 https://fhs-performance.kit.com/1cef236936🚀 Need to improve your speed in-season without adding fatigue?Grab the In-Season Speed Guide here:👉 https://fhs-performance.kit.com/products/gaa-in-season-speed-guideIf you found this helpful, share it with teammates or your squad WhatsApp group. Let’s make better fueling the norm in Gaelic Games.

👉 Stay fast. Stay strong. Even in-season.The games don’t stop — but neither should your physical performance.📦 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:🔥 In-Season Speed Plan (For Sale)A complete, game-ready speed program built for players who want to stay sharp all season. Ideal for busy match weeks and adaptable to your training schedule.→ Includes sprint drills, jump variations, and simple weekly templates.🎁 Free Download: In-Season Strength GuideA practical, no-fluff guide to maintaining strength in-season — without wrecking recovery or stealing from game day.→ Sample gym sessions, scheduling tips, and key mistakes to avoid.🧠 In this episode, we cover:Why strength & power decay quickly in-season (and how to stop it)The “12-day rule” every GAA coach should knowHow to schedule gym work around your pitch sessionsCommon mistakes (like training everyone the same or lifting too close to match day)Smart strategies: microdosing, double-sessions, and player-led choicesPitch-based ways to maintain strength using sprints, sleds, and plyosThis one’s for the players, coaches, and S&C practitioners who want to train smart, stay powerful, and dominate late into the season.Don’t let all your off-season gains go to waste — let’s get to work.

🎁 Download Your Free Top Speed Warm-Up GuideStart your next speed session right → https://fhs-performance.kit.com/990dc8c063🎙️ Episode Title: Speed Development for Team Sports with Kieran Gillespie (@SprintScience)In this episode, I chat with sprint coach and 400m hurdler Kieran Gillespie, co-host of The Sprint Lab Podcast, about how to actually develop speed — especially for team sport athletes like GAA, football, and rugby players.We cover:Why speed is a trainable skill, not just a genetic giftHow to safely introduce sprinting to athletes (and why less is often more)The sprint drills that deliver the biggest bang for your buckCommon speed training mistakes in team sport settingsWhy building top speed improves endurance and repeat sprint abilityHow to structure sprint sessions for max intent and minimal sorenessSpeed training for youth athletes — what matters most at early stagesThis conversation is packed with practical advice, evidence-based principles, and real-world coaching insight. Whether you’re working with youth players or senior teams, you’ll take away simple strategies to build faster, more robust athletes.📲 Follow Kieran on Instagram → @SprintScienceIf you enjoy this episode, follow the show, rate it, and share it with another coach who wants to build speed the smart way.#SpeedTraining #SprintDrills #GAAFitness #TeamSportConditioning #YouthAthleteDevelopment #SprintScience #StrengthAndConditioning #PodcastForCoaches #TopSpeedWarmUp

What does it really take to prepare for the physical demands of intercounty camogie? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Philip Connors, lecturer and researcher, who completed his PhD on the exact topic. We dive deep into the GPS data, fitness testing, and training methods used at the elite level of camogie—and what coaches can learn from it all.🔔 Get more resources on camogie training & coaching straight to your inbox:👉 https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773Philip shares unique insights from being embedded with a senior intercounty team for two seasons, explaining:The real match demands across different positionsWhy traditional training often falls shortHow to better structure sessions using games-based training, sprint exposure, and skill drillsThe biggest gaps in camogie physical prep (hint: speed and plyometrics!)Female-specific challenges, from ACL risk to logistical and cultural constraintsWhether you’re coaching at club or county level, camogie, football, or hurling—this episode will challenge your assumptions and sharpen your training plans. One for coaches who care about getting the details right.🎧 Listen now and level up your approach to physical preparation.

Recovery isn’t a luxury – it’s a strategy. In this episode, we welcome Damian Sullivan, owner of Borish Wellness & Recovery Suite, for a no-nonsense deep dive into what actually helps your body recover—and what might just be a waste of time. Whether you're training hard, juggling work and life, or just need a recharge, this episode gives you science-backed clarity.Damian shares the truth about cryo baths, compression boots, sauna sessions, and how your sleep, stress, and social recovery may be the low-hanging fruit you're missing. You’ll walk away understanding the difference between recovery and adaptation—and how to adjust your routine depending on the time of year or your training phase.👉 Sign up to my free newsletter to get expert insights and tools to level up your performance: https://fhs-performance.kit.com/4d8709e773

In this episode, we dive deep into a controversial topic in youth coaching: Should young players, particularly U14 to Minor, engage in isolated conditioning — running without the ball?We explore:How background and past experiences shape coaching opinionsSurvey results from coaches, parents, and athletesWhy context — not tradition — should dictate your conditioning choicesThe hidden cost of focusing on fitness over skill developmentHow to support multi-sport players without overloading themWhen isolated running might be beneficial (and how to frame it positively)Real stories from coaching mistakes and lessons learnedWhy balancing fitness, skill, and tactical awareness is key to long-term success👉 Whether you’re a GAA coach, a parent, or a sports educator, this episode will help you make better decisions that truly support young athletes' development — not just in fitness, but in their future careers too.

Petey Shaw, Director of Rugby at Terenure College, transforms youth sports by prioritizing enjoyment and participation over early wins. He discusses how removing pressure has boosted player involvement to over 90% and encourages multi-sport participation. Petey reveals innovative training methods, like informal games to increase touches and decision-making. He shares insights on redefining success through confidence metrics and creating inclusive environments, emphasizing that friendship, safety, and belonging should be at the core of youth sports.

In part 1 of the discussion with Petey Shaw, we dive into his PhD research on the plight of multi-sport youth athletes in Ireland.We hear so much about the benefits of playing a wide range of sports but what are the specific benefits and what, if any, are the drawbacks or consequences.Be sure to tune in next week where we look at optimal environments for youth sports and how we can redefine success for underage sports teams.

I'm joined by a man with an extensive background across a range of sports including GAA, Basketball & Aussie Rules. Kevin Mulcahy has a wealth of experience in coaching the physical, technical and tactical of many codes. He has deep understanding of how they all impact on each other which has led to him becoming a thought leader in the planning of coaching across both the short and long term.The Coaching Cohort Free Trial link: https://design_the_game.circle.so/join?invitation_token=d441047cd5b673946faf7969ab7a9d57783edb9e-93cd6c30-a732-4130-a237-188adc5ba2c6Ballyhoura Strength & Socialise Class for rural men [Charleville GAA] |  [Starting April 9th 2025]  No fancy gear needed—just bring yourself!Let’s get moving together—because staying strong means staying independent. Would you or someone you know benefit? Fill out the Google form below or send it to people you think who has a male family member or friend that would benefit. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuIIQjaRHtGmN2y6GB3daMVQU9cJ4mevqdf_3Y_VOQPPbwkQ/viewform?usp=dialogOr Contact Aoife at 0862063411 or email at apower@ballyhoura.org