2025 Gaelic Games Performance Analysis Day a huge success
Meath LGFA Analyst Lee Hunt and Meath LGFA Manager Wayne Freeman pictured at the Performance Analysis Community of Practice event at the TUS Midlands Athlone Campus.
The Technological University of the Shannon's Athlone Campus played host to the 2025 Gaelic Games Performance Analysis Community of Practice Day on Saturday, November 16, bringing together analysts, coaches, researchers, and technology providers for what proved to be a landmark event in Irish sports science.
The day commenced with Wayne Freeman and Lee Hunt, the Manager and Lead Analyst with Meath LGFA, delivering a highly informative presentation on how they seamlessly integrate performance analysis into their coaching week. Their practical insights provided attendees with actionable strategies for bridging the gap between data collection and on-field implementation.
Johnny Bradley of the GAA's Games Intelligence Unit followed with an exceptional overview of the methods and results from the unit's comprehensive review of the first year of new rules in Gaelic football. Bradley's data-driven analysis offered crucial insights into how the rule changes have impacted the modern game.
Panel Discussion on the new FRC rules, left to right, Maurice Brosnan, Maurice Deegan, Eamonn O Hara, Kieran Martin, and Johnny Bradley.
The morning's breakout sessions focused on cutting-edge doctoral research. Patricia Lynch presented her findings on GAA Performance Analysis work practices and their relationship with mental health and wellbeing amongst practitioners – a timely and important contribution to the field. Aoife McColgan engaged the room with her research investigating and defining kick-out strategies in Ladies Gaelic Football, providing tactical insights that will undoubtedly influence coaching approaches across the country.
Aoife Mc Colgan presenting on defining kickout strategies in Ladies Gaelic Football at the 2025 Performance Analysis Community of Practice Day.
Following lunch, attendees were treated to an engaging panel discussion on the new rules from a variety of perspectives. The session brought together intercounty referee Maurice Deegan, newly appointed Sligo Senior Footballers co-manager Eamonn O'Hara, and Westmeath footballer Kieran Martin, with Johnny Bradley providing the analyst's viewpoint. The discussion was expertly moderated by Maurice Brosnan of the Irish Examiner, allowing for a nuanced exploration of how the rule changes are affecting different stakeholders in the game.
Jeff Lynskey, who recently completed an MSc in Performance Analysis at SETU and recently appointed to the Laois Senior Hurling coaching team, closed the formal proceedings with a highly informative presentation analysing possession usage following turnovers in senior intercounty hurling. His research demonstrated the sophisticated level of tactical analysis now being applied to the game.
Jeff Lynskey presented on analysing possession usage following turnovers in senior inter-county hurling at the 2025 Performance Analysis Community of Practice Day.
Additional research was showcased through poster presentations from Cian O'Dea, examining the demands of small-sided games, and Jacqui Mulligan, whose work focused on LGFA kick-outs. These contributions highlighted the breadth and depth of research activity within the GAA performance analysis community.
The event also featured an array of cutting-edge performance analysis technology vendors, including AnalysisPro, Performa Sports, playerdash.app, TeamOppy Sports, Avenir Sports, and MOVE 'N SEE. Significantly, several international exhibitors commented on how cutting-edge and remarkable the GAA's community of practice has become, positioning Irish Gaelic games analysis at the forefront of global sports science innovation.
Co-organisers of the 2025 Performance Analysis Community of Practice Day, left to right, Ashley Cahill, Terrence O Hara, Tony Bambrick, and Fintan Kennedy.
The event was co-organised by Ashley Cahill, Tony Bambrick, Terrence O'Hara, Fintan Kennedy, Jack Cooney, and Emma Byrne, whose collaborative efforts created a platform for knowledge sharing that reinforces the GAA's position as a leader in sports performance analysis.
With such enthusiasm and expertise on display, organisers are already looking forward to building on this success in 2026.