Coach's Lab with John Murphy

Three questions answered in a little bit of depth. Would Hyrox or Crossfit benefit GAA performance? Are Drink Bans beneficial for GAA teams? How can S&Cs strike a balance between physical prep and hurling skills?If you want to book in for a consultation call or have questions answered on the podcast: john@fhsperformance.com

The Future Leaders is the largest Transition Year programme in Ireland. It started when Eoghan Hanley (the man behind a movement) wanted to involve a whole TY Year group in a tournament for 1st and 2nd Year hurlers. 10 years later and 10s of thousands of students have developed invaluable skills in nutrition, journalism, photography, coaching, refereeing, performance analysis, wellbeing and so much more.Hear how it all started, some of the main highlights and plans for future evolution.https://www.instagram.com/gaafutureleader/

Having worked with countless players and teams across ages and levels, 4 issues or mistakes keep cropping up. Today I discuss what they are, implications of each one and, most importantly, how we can try to prevent them from happening.If you'd like any nutrition questions answered or want to schedule a nutrition consultancy call, just email fhsperformance@gmail.com

Dr Emma Cowley is a post-doctoral researcher at TUS focusing on closing the gender data gap. She has authored numerous academic publications looking at the gap in sport science research between males and females. Her current role seeks to close that gap and increase the amount of sport science research conducted, specifically on the island of Ireland.

Following a query from a coach during the week I discussed how we can use Self Determination Theory in our coaching.SDT is one of the most popular theories of motivation and can be used to enhance both intrinsic motivation and wellbeing in our players.This podcast explains what SDT is and gives examples of how we can utilise it in our coaching.

Karol Dillon is an experienced Gaelic Football coach from Kerry and coming near the end of his PhD studies looking at bilateral, or two-sided, Gaelic Footballers.We look at:- how common it is to truly use both sides in Gaelic Football or LGFA- How coaches and parents can support the development of both sides- The importance of environment and motivation when trying develop the weaker or non-dominant side in players- Why it's never too late to improve your weaker side

We’re talking speed!Due to a number of requests to discuss speed development, I’m going through a few guiding principles I use.I’m planning a number of videos to help show you useful drills, exercises and sample sessions over the next few months, but until then you can use the 8 commandments I outline in this episode.If you want something a little more immediate, then you can get my 6 week Speed Programme here: https://fhs-performance.kit.com/products/need-for-speed-6-week-programme

Joined by friend of the show, Damien O'Sullivan, we look a bit deeper at some considerations for the new Gaelic Football rules.- Some outputs from club games- Variety of approaches from different teams- What effects have players been reporting?- Value of Zone 2?- Considerations for the 3 v 3

The Gaelic Football landscape is evolving with new rules set for 2025, and players, coaches, and teams need to adapt smartly. In this episode, we break down what these changes mean for player fitness, game strategy, and training approaches. From new 1v1 scenarios to shifting speed demands, we’ve got all the insights you need to stay ahead. 🔥 Key Insights Covered: 1️⃣ Start the Season the Right Way: Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your players need to be fitter straight out of the gate just because the game is evolving. Your starting point should remain the same as previous years — no need to burn out athletes early on with unrealistic expectations. 2️⃣ Game-Based Training is King: Forget loading players up with both game sessions and endless top-up runs. Use smart, game-based activities to naturally develop high-speed running demands. Training games provide a better, more seamless stimulus while helping players refine tactical skills simultaneously. 💡 Additional Takeaways: Expect more explosive accelerations, decelerations, and agile movements in the forward line. Past data insights: Learn from sprint patterns, distance covered by position, and the impact of match outcomes. Practical preparation tips: Develop lower-body strength, master decelerations, and incorporate agility drills carefully. Gradually build up 1v1 scenarios to manage load on knees and hips, especially for older players. 🎙 Why This Episode Matters: Get expert strategies for managing the physical and tactical demands of the new game rules without compromising player wellbeing. The key? Train smarter, not harder. Listen now to keep your team competitive and well-prepared for the 2025 season. Let the game-based conditioning be your greatest weapon!

In this episode, we unpack the critical question: should female adolescents participate in strength and conditioning (S&C) programs? Based on a discussion with sports coaching students, this discussion provides valuable insights into the considerations, benefits, and best practices for youth S&C. We explore: The Big Question: Should female adolescents do S&C? (Spoiler: yes—with caveats!) Key Considerations: Benefits for Female Athletes: We also break down sample S&C sessions tailored for adolescents, including exercises for both gym and on-pitch settings. You’ll hear about foundational movement patterns (squat, hinge, push, pull, brace), plyometric exercises, and whether to use bodyweight or weights. Tune in to learn how to set young athletes up for long-term success by building proper technique, reducing injury risk, and developing physical literacy!