Share

cover art for "It’s about women in Gaelic Games… it’s bigger than organisations and codes” - Dr. Aoife Lane, Head of Department of Sport and Health Sciences in TUS. | Ep.16

The Coaching Field

"It’s about women in Gaelic Games… it’s bigger than organisations and codes” - Dr. Aoife Lane, Head of Department of Sport and Health Sciences in TUS. | Ep.16

•

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

Tickets are available now for The Good, The Bad, and The Business on Friday 24 April at 7:30pm in Lawlor's Hotel, Naas, Kildare.

Get your tickets here; https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-good-the-bad-and-the-business-tickets-1985064269667?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

More episodes

View all episodes

  • "You have to be able to do the extras, if you want to be someone that goes on to achieve the extras” - Dr. Orlaith Curran, Co-Founder of Femily and Sports Science Lecturer in UCD | Ep.17

    49:26|
    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
  • "Get outside the ring” - Jennie Rogers, Head of Player Development and Wellbeing, Gaelic Players Association | Ep.15

    51:20|
    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
  • "The kid on TikTok now, is the decision maker in 10 years time” - Neill Fleming, Owner/Director of Cúl Sliotars | Ep.14

    48:44|
    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
  • "Twenty seconds of insane courage” -Mairéad McParland, Director of the Canal Court Hotel and Spa, Armagh | Ep.13

    44:22|
    Mairéad McParland is the Director of the Canal Court Hotel and Spa and the manager of the Carrickdale Hotel and Spa in Armagh. A huge GAA fan, she has spent much of her life in the backroom and county board for Armagh Ladies GAA.Mairéad originally trained and worked as an accountant, but is now working in her family business in hospitality. In our conversation we discussed the importance of financial support for female teams, and the impact sport has across communities, both in the North and South of Ireland.We also chatted about the need to support local club teams, and how they are the lifeblood of our county panels. This is a conversation for all GAA fans to listen to!Produced by @cutdownstudios
  • “It needs to be talked about” - Orna Murray, former international athlete, women’s health academic and recognised changemaker | Ep.12

    52:02|
    Orna Murray is a ball of energy driving sports participation forward with a particular interest in female health. A two-time Irish national squash champion and European Cross Country runner, she pairs elite sports experience with academic rigor, holding a degree in Applied Psychology (UCC) and a masters in Health Psychology (NUIG). Her dedication to using evidenced-based information to inform practice has positioned her as a leading voice in women’s sports participation. Through Move2B,a social enterprise she runs with her sister Niamh, she is using her expertise to challenge outdated narratives and ensure that sport is more inclusive, accessible and empowering for girls and women.In our conversation Orna shares her personal story and why she felt she had to set up Move2B.Produced by @cutdownstudios
  • “Rugby was for the boys” - Anna Caplice, rugby coach and commentator, and former Irish international rugby player | Ep.11

    49:21|
    Anna Caplice is a former Irish international rugby player from Mallow in Cork. Following starting playing rugby at 17, Anna quickly joined Munster underage teams and progressed in her career to play for Richmond, Harlequins and La Rochelle clubs.Anna’s studies also led her to experience rugby in Spain and Argentina, and following her retirement she now works as a rugby coach, commentator and presenter. Anna shares the reality of being a top-level female rugby player, including the challenges of having little or no financial support.  She also discusses the opportunities and her aspirations for women’s rugby in the future.Produced by @cutdownstudios
  • “There is a story to every start line” - Imogen Cotter, former pro cyclist, and aspiring sport presenter | Ep.10

    58:37|
    Imogen Cotter is a former pro cyclist who won the Irish National Road Race Championship in 2021. An accomplished athlete, Imogen had previously won medals at All-Ireland cross country events as a teenager, before switching to track cycling.Following her national title win, she signed a professional contract with Plantur-Pura team in 2021 and moved to Girona.Before she had the chance to race for the team, Imogen suffered serious injuries following being hit by a car while out training. She got back to professional racing, but in 2024 she announced her retirement.Since then, Imogen has pivoted her career towards sports journalism and presenting, and she has built up her social media presence to almost 130,000 followers. Our conversation covers everything from grit and resilience to knowing when to quit.This podcast is sponsored by Ideal Bathrooms and Tiles @idealbathroomsireProduced by @cutdownstudios and @fractionleadership
  • “Quality is everything” - Christina Foley, Founder of Inish Living and Chartered Physiotherapist | Ep.9

    43:24|
    Christina Foley is a Chartered Physiotherapist with her own practice in Kenmare, and she is also the owner of Inish Living. Inish Living is a B Corp Certified luxury lifestyle and wellbeing brand nurturing wellness through Movement, Rest and Play.Christina grew up working in the hospitality industry with her mother, restaurateur Maura O’Connell Foley.While co-producing My Wild Atlantic Kitchen, her mother’s cookbook which launched in April 2020 during Covid, Christina felt the urge to start something creative blending her health and wellness expertise with her love of functional design and materials.Christina also has a background in a variety of sports including gaelic football, rugby and competitive skiing.This podcast is sponsored by Ideal Bathrooms and Tiles @idealbathroomsireProduced by @cutdownstudios and @fractionleadership