What the GPA is all about

What the GPA is all about

Learn about what the GPA is all about?

I recently did a podcast from which you can learn about what the GPA does in real life.

 

The Gaelic players association or the GPA as it is commonly known as, has been around for a while since 1999 and whilst we have all heard of it lots of people actually do not realise what the GPA is actually doing and the great work that it does out there in real life for players.

Our GAA sports players are non-professional but give so much to our local communities and indeed the country and its identity on a national level so the GPA should be promoted because its purpose is the wellbeing and welfare of our GAA players.

 

I recently had the privilege of conducting an interview with former Laois county footballer Colm Begley which you can listen to below.

The interview gives plenty of information about:

  • what the ethos of the GPA is
  • what it does,
  • its history
  • and a lot more besides

What the GPA is all about – more to learn from the interview?

 

I believe that many of you may find this interview of interest because Colm Begley was an inter-county player as well as being involved with the GPA itself and this allowed the interview to delve into other interesting topics such as:

 

  • Whether players and managers should have a greater say in-game rule changes
  • We discuss GPA scholarships which many may not have heard about including the fact that the GPA has 23 partnerships with colleges around Ireland
  • We discuss the mental health of players and the help that is available
  • Reconstruction of the championship discussion as well as the question of players’ retirement and lots more

In closing the GPA has a website that you can visit through the link in the button:

 

 Finally To remind you I offer various services to both GAA players and clubs- Treatments

Award from Ballinagare Manor Utd FC

Award from Ballinagare Manor Utd FC

Award From Ballinagare Manor Utd FC- 2023

A new year in 2023 got off well for me as I received an Award From Ballinagare Manor Utd FC on the 2nd of January during a fundraiser and presentation night.

As a part of the backend staff, being the 1st team Sports Therapist for Ballinagare Manor Utd, it is always special to receive the recognition that all of us in the background have our important roles to play in sports in Ireland, so I am writing this short blog post to say a big thank you to all at Ballina Manor FC for this recognition – it is much appreciated and makes it all so worthwhile playing my little role.

A PICTURE OF MY TROPHY BELOW FOR CLUBMAN OF THE YEAR 2021-2022

Ballinagare Manor Utd FC

BELOW IS A PICTURE OF ME WITH DAVID HUSSEY (club committee member) ON THE NIGHT

 

Ballinagare Manor Utd FC

 

FINALLY, A SCREENSHARE BELOW WITH DETAILS OF THE OTHER AWARD RECIPIENTS ON THE NIGHT

A big thanks to all of you…..

Aidan

Congratulations to Buccaneers R.F.C u14’s

Congratulations to Buccaneers R.F.C u14’s

Hats Off To Buccaneers R.F.C u14’s

Congratulations are in order for the Buccaneers RFC u14s who won the Connacht U14 League A Final on the 11th December 2021 where they beat Sligo RFC. A tremendous achievement for this group of players and staff and indeed the club itself. I am delighted and proud to say that I was the sports therapist for the team so I take some personal pride in what the team has achieved.   Buccaneers R.F.C

Learn More About the Final at the links below:

YouTube:  https://youtu.be/Nck6-zrJdXE Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/257981688464255/posts/937694590492958/

Learn More About the Buccaneers R.F.C club at the link below:

Website: https://buccaneersrfc.com/about-us/    Personally delighted to get a mention above!
You Can Run a marathon too

You Can Run a marathon too

You Can Run a marathon too – A Podcast

You Can Run a marathon too if you put your mind to it.

We have all heard words to the effect of “you can do anything if you put your mind to it”,  and in this podcast, I speak to a local Roscommon man Tom who has now completed 3 marathons, the most recent being the 2022 Dublin City marathon and our paths crossed when I treated Tom for some not uncommon injuries picked up by him along the way.

The podcast should be of interest to lots of you out there to reinforce self-belief. 

Tom’s motivation was to get fit and lose weight, he tells us about his aha moment and indeed as he explains how losing 4 stone pretty quickly aided motivation.

He discusses how training cleared his mind and removed stress.

In this podcast, a regular guy just like you and me discusses his journey and may help you to follow his path.

Listen to This Podcast -You Can Run a marathon too

part 1

Aidan and Tom discuss his journey from taking up running to taking part in 3 Dublin City Marathons. Tom Ward tells Aidan how are the most difficult stage of the 2022 Dublin City Marathon, the last 5km which is where he saw the Join Our Boys team and he looked up to heaven and thought of Archie. He said that inspired him and gave him the strength the complete the marathon. This podcast is dedicated to the memory of Archie Naughton from Join Our Boy

Listen to this podcast -part 2

Me and Tom

A picture of Tom proudly displaying his medal.

You Can Run a marathon too- common injuries

You might also find my posts about common sports injuries to be of interest! 

Tips for Gym Fitness and Training in Ireland

Tips for Gym Fitness and Training in Ireland

Tips for Gym Fitness and Training in Ireland from a Sports Therapists viewpoint

My thoughts  on Tips for Gym Fitness and Training in Ireland from a sports physio angle because I treat players and athletes from a wide range of sports at all levels and I also work with teams.

The use of a Gym is commonplace in many sports as part of the training.

Most athletes have a good balance when it comes to physical training and physical fitness.

Gym Related Injuries in Ireland:

I have had good athletes coming to me with injuries that are gym related.

I treat the injury and symptoms of the injury but to give advice and to give the player or athlete the best service as part of their rehab and or recovery I as a lot of questions so as to get a full picture not just of the injury but the cause and as a way of getting to know the player and athlete not just as a player and athlete but also as a person this puts them at ease and they also open up more when you ask questions.

They tell me about the injury the symptoms then how it happened and where.

Many athletes mention the gym as the injury source.

I ask them how often they go to the gym. They say every day for 6 or 7 days. That tells a lot because that is often the cause.

Players and athletes need to train but they also need recovery and rest.

7 days a week in a gym is excessive as training every single day is hard on the body and mind.

Dehydration and fatigue leave an athlete and player vulnerable to injury.

Tips for Gym Fitness and Training in Ireland- a Schedule

I  often suggest this schedule:

  • every 2nd day in the gym
  • so maybe a gym session on a Monday.
  • On a Tuesday the either rest or go for a walk or go for a light jog or a swim (that’s rest or recovery or part of)
  • Wednesday gym session
  • Thursday rest or the other above suggestions.
  • Friday gym session…….

That way the player or athlete is getting their gym sessions and their physical fitness is improving or they are maintaining their physical fitness, they are getting their rest and recovery which means they are less likely to get injuries.

  • Warm-up and warm-down is essential
  • Keeping hydrated before during and after sessions is essential.

Physical fitness is essential when playing sport at all levels.

Strength and conditioning and endurance training is important this ensure the player will be able for the demands of any sport that they will be able to last the full game

With many indoor sports like futsal- indoor soccer being so fast and intense, this is essential.

Warm-up and warm-down and stretches are important before during and after training AND matches and also so is keeping hydrated.

Gym Training Fitness Powdered Drinks and Supplements:

Personally, I am against these powdered drinks and supplements etc you see online that are available ‘over the counter’ in shops and on the internet.

When you get them online you don’t know what you are buying until they arrive, and they only deliver short term benefit.

My advice is before you get any supplements or powdered drinks, go to go first and ask his advice and see if he would recommend this that or the other over the counter products (you see gyms and sports shops advertising and selling them).

There is nothing you get in them that you don’t get in normal everyday food that you eat.

Get medical advice go to a dietician or your GP and discuss it with them you may not think it but what you eat or consume plays a huge part in your physical fitness and believe it or not what you eat when you eat the right food can give you the natural energy you need

Those gym supplements only have short term results or benefit you speed wise of short distances and may have unforetold side effects

that’s why I recommend getting medical advice big you eat and train right as a player then physical is easy to attain and maintain.

I hope you have found my contribution to be useful.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Many athletes in the heat of the moment during training can overdo things. If you are based in Roscommon or the North-West one of my treatments might be of big help to you.