The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
CLARE GAA has announced the recruitment of three strength and conditioning interns – Criostóir McCaw, Brion Moriarty and Hugh O’Neill.
Speaking following their introduction, Micheál Duffy, Clare GAA Games manager said, “As Clare GAA games manager I would like to welcome Criostóir, Bríon and Hugh to Clare GAA.
“They will be working with us under the guiding expertise of Rob Mulcahy. Clare GAA have been extremely fortunate to engage with three ambitious individuals who are eager to make a mark is exactly what Clare GAA need and one is sure that their energy will be of a huge benefit to the players that they will coach in both the Development Squads and Post-Primary Schools.
“I would also like to thank the County Board for supporting this new project as it is one that I think is extremely progressive and the fruits of which we hope to see in the years to come.”
Rob Mulcahy, lead strength and conditioning coach with Clare welcomed the introduction of three new faces to the fold.
“Hugh, Bríon and Criostóir will be delivering S&C sessions within Post-Primary schools for U-14 and U-15 Football and Hurling Players in conjunction with Clare GAA’s Long Term Athletic Development Plan. They are also going to be delivering pitch and gym-based sessions for the U-14/15/16 Hurling and Football development squads. They are going to be coaching over 500 Players within the County on a weekly basis.
“They are going to be a huge asset to Clare GAA and I look forward to working with them over the coming months.”
Newly-appointed Chairman of Clare GAA, Kieran Keating said he welcomes the expertise and enthusiasm the trio will bring to their respective roles.
“I have no doubt they will bring an enthusiasm and expertise that will greatly enrich the young players that they will work with over the coming months. I hope that all three of you enjoy your stint with Clare GAA and I’m sure that you will also benefit from working alongside the experienced GDAs and coaches already working in our schools and with our academies.”
Ennistymon native McCaw graduated in 2016 from LIT with a degree in Strength and Conditioning and is currently pursuing a masters in Sports Performance at UL. He has have worked with a variety of teams including Galway United, Clare GAA, St Senan’s RFC and Ennistymon GAA.
Relocating to Canada in 2017, he worked as Personal Trainer and Fitness Manager with GoodLife Fitness and The Dome Red Deer, Alberta’s premier performance training facility as Strength and Conditioning coach to teams and athletes competing in soccer, baseball and hockey.
Brion Moriarty is a native of Limerick City, where he attended Ardscoil Rís Secondary School representing them in Junior and Senior Cup rugby. After finishing school, he completed an undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Sciences from the University of Limerick, during which he began coaching.
A summer coaching soccer in the United States and eight months with the West Coast Eagles AFL team in Perth, Australia, enhanced his desire to do get involveed in strength and conditioning full-time.
After returning home, he completed a masters in Strength and Conditioning from the Institute of Technology Carlow before going back to Ardscoil Rís as their Junior Cup S&C coach for their ‘21/22 season. He will be involved with the Clare U-14 and U-15 hurling teams for the upcoming season.
Corkman Hugh O’Neill is a Sport and Exercise Sciences Honours Graduate from UL, accredited Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Hugh has held positions with West Coast Eagles AFL Club and Cork GAA Regional Development Squads and currently completing a Masters in Mental Skills and Mental Health in Sport and Exercise at UL.
