The biggest GAA pre-season S&C mistakes (that lead to injuries & poor performance)

About this episode

This episode discusses common pre-season strength and conditioning mistakes in GAA that lead to injuries and poor performance, featuring insights from Rob Mulcahy.

Pre-season is where teams lay the foundation for success, but many get it wrong —leading to avoidable injuries, burnout, and underperformance when it matters most. In this episode, Rob Mulcahy , Head of Athletic Development at Setanta College and former Clare senior football S&C coach, breaks down the most common mistakes and how to avoid them. We discuss: - Why most teams neglect a proper needs analysis (and how it impacts results) - The importance of movement quality before chasing strength numbers - How testing should actually inform training—not just be a numbers game - The right way to integrate conditioning with skill work for better performance - Why gradual load management is key to staying injury-free - How coaching should adapt based on the experience level of players - The role of reflective practice in making better coaching decisions - Why underage success means nothing without long-term development This episode is a must-listen for GAA coaches and players who want to train smarter, avoid burnout, and maximise performance this season. ➕ We've got some great guests coming up. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes. Stay Connected Subscribe to the…

People in this episode

Host: Kevin O'Brien

Guest: Rob Mulcahy

Topics covered

• GAA pre-season training
• strength and conditioning
• injury prevention
• performance optimization
• coaching strategies
• athletic development

Keywords

• GAA
• pre-season
• strength and conditioning
• injury prevention
• performance
• coaching
• athletic development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Setanta College, Clare

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