Episode 5: Ed Daly speaks to the legendary England women's team winger 'Kat' (Katherine) Merchant. Kat has had an incredible career playing both 15s and 7s women's rugby for her country and Worcester. Achieving her first cap for England at 19. As part of her incredible 9-year term with England, she played in the 2010 and 2014 Rugby World Cups. 

In this episode, Kat speaks honestly about her career in the sport, level of play, and why it all came to an end due to concussion injuries. Kat shares an athlete's perspective on suffering concussions and dealing with their invisible nature and the variety of subtle and obvious symptoms that can occur briefly and longer-term. Kat speaks on the importance of awareness, proper managment and rest to save the players and the game. 

About the podcast:
The Heads-Up Podcast are a series of interviews with ex-professional male rugby players, elite female players and coaches about concussion in the sport. The podcasts discuss their early careers and very open commentary about the realities of professional rugby. Heads-Up discusses insights into injury (specifically concussion), how they managed then and how they continue to manage with life after a professional career. The players offer insights into the culture around the game, their concussion experiences and their observations on player welfare, protective equipment and law changes to the game.  

About Ed Daly:
Ed Daly has over thirteen years of experience in sports coach education and more than five years of lecturing experience in third-level institutes. Ed is currently a PhD researcher focused on investigating concussion identification, concussion management and concussion reduction strategies.

Ed is an active PhD research scientist (Oxford Brookes University) specializing in concussion education, managing athlete workload, objective concussion diagnosis and post-concussion management. Currently developing research for the Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) based in GMIT.

Ed is a lecture in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in the area of Sport & Exercise Science within the School of Science & Computing. Programme coordinator for MSc (strength & conditioning).

Before moving to a career in lecturing, Ed worked in professional sports and spent over ten years as a coach with Munster Rugby, coaching age-grade players on the professional player development pathway and in injury incidence reduction via workload management (specializing in the area of strength & conditioning).

Contact Details:
Ed Daly
Email: [email protected]

Published by:
Emma.Finnegan
Email: [email protected]

Episode 4: Ed Daly speaks to Australian model and former professional rugby league player Nick Youngquest. During his National Rugby League career, Nick played mainly as a winger with teams such as the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, St. George Illawarra Dragons, Penrith Panthers and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, and in the UK for the Gateshead Thunder, Celtic Crusaders and the Castleford Tigers.

In this episode, Nick speaks to Ed about his experiences with concussion injuries, many of which went undiagnosed the protocols that were in place during his time playing and what lead to his further retirement. Nick opened up about the seizures he suffered following his retirement in 2012. While he also shares how he established the "Athletes 4 Life (A4L) charity" to help other athletes transition into retirement through running marathons.

About the podcast:
The Heads-Up Podcast are a series of interviews with ex-professional male rugby players, elite female players and coaches about concussion in the sport. The podcasts discuss their early careers and very open commentary about the realities of professional rugby. Heads-Up discusses insights into injury (specifically concussion), how they managed then and how they continue to manage with life after a professional career. The players offer insights into the culture around the game, their concussion experiences and their observations on player welfare, protective equipment and law changes to the game.  

About Ed Daly:
Ed Daly has over thirteen years of experience in sports coach education and more than five years of lecturing experience in third-level institutes. Ed is currently a PhD researcher focused on investigating concussion identification, concussion management and concussion reduction strategies.

Ed is an active PhD research scientist (Oxford Brookes University) specializing in concussion education, managing athlete workload, objective concussion diagnosis and post-concussion management. Currently developing research for the Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) based in GMIT.

Ed is a lecture in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in the area of Sport & Exercise Science within the School of Science & Computing. Programme coordinator for MSc (strength & conditioning).

Before moving to a career in lecturing, Ed worked in professional sports and spent over ten years as a coach with Munster Rugby, coaching age-grade players on the professional player development pathway and in injury incidence reduction via workload management (specializing in the area of strength & conditioning).

Contact Details:
Ed Daly
Email: [email protected]

Published by:
Emma.Finnegan
Email: [email protected]

Episode 3: Ed Daly speaks to Niall Ronan, a retired professional Irish rugby player. Ronan began his career as a flanker in 2003 with Leinster, then Munster where he successfully accumulated over 100 caps and also represented Ireland at full international level.

In this episode, Niall speaks to Ed about his journey and shares memories of his “best years” playing professional Rugby which evolved from his love for GAA. Niall shares the many opportunities presented to him and his encounter with concussion injuries at this time. In 2014 Niall retired due to a knee injury and founded Titan Wellness, which looks to build “a culture of health and wellness” in the organisations they work with – but those good rugby memories remain strong.

About the podcast:
The Heads-Up Podcast are a series of interviews with ex-professional male rugby players, elite female players and coaches about concussion in the sport. The podcasts discuss their early careers and very open commentary about the realities of professional rugby. Heads-Up discusses insights into injury (specifically concussion), how they managed then and how they continue to manage with life after a professional career. The players offer insights into the culture around the game, their concussion experiences and their observations on player welfare, protective equipment and law changes to the game.  

About Ed Daly:
Ed Daly has over thirteen years of experience in sports coach education and more than five years of lecturing experience in third-level institutes. Ed is currently a PhD researcher focused on investigating concussion identification, concussion management and concussion reduction strategies.

Ed is an active PhD research scientist (Oxford Brookes University) specializing in concussion education, managing athlete workload, objective concussion diagnosis and post-concussion management. Currently developing research for the Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) based in GMIT.

Ed is a lecture in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in the area of Sport & Exercise Science within the School of Science & Computing. Programme coordinator for MSc (strength & conditioning).

Before moving to a career in lecturing, Ed worked in professional sports and spent over ten years as a coach with Munster Rugby, coaching age-grade players on the professional player development pathway and in injury incidence reduction via workload management (specializing in the area of strength & conditioning).

Contact Details:
Ed Daly
Email: [email protected]

Published by:
Emma.Finnegan
Email: [email protected]

Episode 2: Ed Daly speaks to Kieran Low, a Scottish professional lineout who retired from Rugby in 2016. Kieran spent most of his career at London Irish and had short spells at Glasgow Warriors and Saracens.

In this episode, Kieran speaks to Ed about his journey in professional Rugby, sharing the many successes and opportunities presented to him. Kieran shares his encounter with the numerous ignored concussion injuries that occurred as his career began to explode in 2013-2014. Sharing the impact they have had on his life, how he manages the after-effects daily and addresses the importance of creating a safety net for all retired players to transition from the professional game. A compelling, open and raw conversation.

About the podcast:
The Heads-Up Podcast are a series of interviews with ex-professional male rugby players, elite female players and coaches about concussion in the sport. The podcasts discuss their early careers and very open commentary about the realities of professional rugby. Heads-Up discusses insights into injury (specifically concussion), how they managed then and how they continue to manage with life after a professional career. The players offer insights into the culture around the game, their concussion experiences and their observations on player welfare, protective equipment and law changes to the game.  

About Ed Daly:
Ed Daly has over thirteen years of experience in sports coach education and more than five years of lecturing experience in third-level institutes. Ed is currently a PhD researcher focused on investigating concussion identification, concussion management and concussion reduction strategies.

Ed is an active PhD research scientist (Oxford Brookes University) specializing in concussion education, managing athlete workload, objective concussion diagnosis and post-concussion management. Currently developing research for the Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) based in GMIT.

Ed is a lecture in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in the area of Sport & Exercise Science within the School of Science & Computing. Programme coordinator for MSc (strength & conditioning).

Before moving to a career in lecturing, Ed worked in professional sports and spent over ten years as a coach with Munster Rugby, coaching age-grade players on the professional player development pathway and in injury incidence reduction via workload management (specializing in the area of strength & conditioning).

Contact Details:
Ed Daly
Email: [email protected]

Published by:
Emma.Finnegan
Email: [email protected]

Episode 1: Ed Daly,  speaks to former professional Connacht prop forward Ronan Loughney who retired from rugby in 2017. Since his retirement, Loughney has gone on to develop establish his own furniture-making business - RO Designs creating Custom Wood Fittings (http://rodesign.ie/).

Loughney made his Connacht debut in 2006 having come through the province's academy system before going on to spend 12 years at the Sportsground and play 191 times for the province; across the Pro 12, Challenge and Champions Cup competitions.

The Galway native was also an Ireland U19 and U21 representative and made his senior debut against the All Blacks on Ireland's 2012 tour of New Zealand, the only international cap of his career to date.

In this episode, Ronan openly shares his views and encounters with concussion injuries and his opinions on the game becoming "player-centric" and discusses its evolution throughout his playing career.

About the podcast:
The Heads-Up Podcast are a series of interviews with ex-professional male rugby players, elite female players and coaches about concussion in the sport. The podcasts discuss their early careers and very open commentary about the realities of professional rugby. Heads-Up discusses insights into injury (specifically concussion), how they managed then and how they continue to manage with life after a professional career. The players offer insights into the culture around the game, their concussion experiences and their observations on player welfare, protective equipment and law changes to the game.  

About Ed Daly:
Ed Daly has over thirteen years of experience in sports coach education and more than five years of lecturing experience in third-level institutes. Ed is currently a PhD researcher focused on investigating concussion identification, concussion management and concussion reduction strategies.

Ed is an active PhD research scientist (Oxford Brookes University) specializing in concussion education, managing athlete workload, objective concussion diagnosis and post-concussion management. Currently developing research for the Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) based in GMIT.

Ed is a lecture in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in the area of Sport & Exercise Science within the School of Science & Computing. Programme coordinator for MSc (strength & conditioning).

Before moving to a career in lecturing, Ed worked in professional sports and spent over ten years as a coach with Munster Rugby, coaching age-grade players on the professional player development pathway and in injury incidence reduction via workload management (specializing in the area of strength & conditioning).

Contact Details:
Ed Daly
Email: [email protected]

Published by:
Emma.Finnegan
Email: [email protected]

Episode 17: Ed Daly,  speaks to the former professional Connacht, Wasps and Irish back row, and now Strength and Conditioning coach for Connacht's Senior team; Johnny O'Connor.

O'Connor spent most of his career with Irish provincial side Connacht, making over 100 appearances across two stints with the team. He also spent four seasons with English Premiership side Wasps in between. He also played amateur club rugby for Galwegians and Galway Corinthians.

O'Connor played for Ireland at the full international level. Making his debut in 2004 against South Africa. Johnny has made 12 appearances for Ireland, and was part of the 2006 team that won the Triple Crown, and was named 2005 Irish Rugby Union Players' Association player of the year.

In this episode, Johnny openly shares his views and encounters with concussion injuries and the injury that ended his career.

About the podcast:
The Heads-Up Podcast are a series of interviews with ex-professional male rugby players, elite female players and coaches about concussion in the sport. The podcasts discuss their early careers and very open commentary about the realities of professional rugby. Heads-Up discusses insights into injury (specifically concussion), how they managed then and how they continue to manage with life after a professional career. The players offer insights into the culture around the game, their concussion experiences and their observations on player welfare, protective equipment and law changes to the game.  

About Ed Daly:
Ed Daly has over thirteen years of experience in sports coach education and more than five years of lecturing experience in third-level institutes. Ed is currently a PhD researcher focused on investigating concussion identification, concussion management and concussion reduction strategies.

Ed is an active PhD research scientist (Oxford Brookes University) specializing in concussion education, managing athlete workload, objective concussion diagnosis and post-concussion management. Currently developing research for the Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) based in GMIT.

Ed is a lecture in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in the area of Sport & Exercise Science within the School of Science & Computing. Programme coordinator for MSc (strength & conditioning).

Before moving to a career in lecturing, Ed worked in professional sports and spent over ten years as a coach with Munster Rugby, coaching age-grade players on the professional player development pathway and in injury incidence reduction via workload management (specializing in the area of strength & conditioning).

Contact Details:
Ed Daly
Email: [email protected]

Published by: Emma.Finnegan
Email: [email protected]

Episode 16: Ed Daly,  speaks to the former professional back row for England; Joe Worsley.

Attaining 78 caps during his career with England. Joe was also part of the English and Irish Lions team from 2009. Later in 2011, Joe retired from all forms of the game due to a neck injury. Now shares his unique skill and knowledge as a defence coach of French top 14 team Bordeaux Bègles.

In this episode, Joe openly shares his views and encounters with concussion injuries during his playing days.

About the podcast:
The Heads-Up Podcast are a series of interviews with ex-professional male rugby players, elite female players and coaches about concussion in the sport. The podcasts discuss their early careers and very open commentary about the realities of professional rugby. Heads-Up discusses insights into injury (specifically concussion), how they managed then and how they continue to manage with life after a professional career. The players offer insights into the culture around the game, their concussion experiences and their observations on player welfare, protective equipment and law changes to the game.  

About Ed Daly:
Ed Daly has over thirteen years of experience in sports coach education and more than five years of lecturing experience in third-level institutes. Ed is currently a PhD researcher focused on investigating concussion identification, concussion management and concussion reduction strategies.

Ed is an active PhD research scientist (Oxford Brookes University) specializing in concussion education, managing athlete workload, objective concussion diagnosis and post-concussion management. Currently developing research for the Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) based in GMIT.

Ed is a lecture in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in the area of Sport & Exercise Science within the School of Science & Computing. Programme coordinator for MSc (strength & conditioning).

Before moving to a career in lecturing, Ed worked in professional sports and spent over ten years as a coach with Munster Rugby, coaching age-grade players on the professional player development pathway and in injury incidence reduction via workload management (specializing in the area of strength & conditioning).

Contact Details:
Ed Daly
Email: [email protected]

Published by: Emma.Finnegan
Email: [email protected]

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Episode 15: Ed Daly,  speaks to avid scrum cap wearer and former Munster scrum-half Duncan Williams. 

During Duncan's career, he has spent over 10 years playing with Munster. Following this, he later went on to make his debut against Connacht in 2009 and later retired in 2018.

Duncan openly shares his encounters with numerous concussion injuries, and how he now has vertigo as a result.

About the podcast:
The Heads-Up Podcast are a series of interviews with ex-professional male rugby players, elite female players and coaches about concussion in the sport. The podcasts discuss their early careers and very open commentary about the realities of professional rugby. Heads-Up discusses insights into injury (specifically concussion), how they managed then and how they continue to manage with life after a professional career. The players offer insights into the culture around the game, their concussion experiences and their observations on player welfare, protective equipment and law changes to the game.  

About Ed Daly:
Ed Daly has over thirteen years of experience in sports coach education and more than five years of lecturing experience in third-level institutes. Ed is currently a PhD researcher focused on investigating concussion identification, concussion management and concussion reduction strategies.

Ed is an active PhD research scientist (Oxford Brookes University) specializing in concussion education, managing athlete workload, objective concussion diagnosis and post-concussion management. Currently developing research for the Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) based in GMIT.

Ed is a lecture in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in the area of Sport & Exercise Science within the School of Science & Computing. Programme coordinator for MSc (strength & conditioning).

Before moving to a career in lecturing, Ed worked in professional sports and spent over ten years as a coach with Munster Rugby, coaching age-grade players on the professional player development pathway and in injury incidence reduction via workload management (specializing in the area of strength & conditioning).

Contact Details:
Ed Daly
Email: [email protected]

Published by: Emma.Finnegan
Email: [email protected]

Episode 14: Ed Daly,  speaks to ex-professional rugby player John Andress. Over his 12 years he has represented English clubs; Exeter, Worcester and Edinburgh, and Irish clubs Munster and Connacht. John now runs Edges Rugby Management Agency playing a key role in the careers of many current and prospective rugby players career journey.

John openly shares his encounters with a concussion and his experiences as a professional rugby player and the different pressures involved.

About the podcast:
The Heads-Up Podcast are a series of interviews with ex-professional male rugby players, elite female players and coaches about concussion in the sport. The podcasts discuss their early careers and very open commentary about the realities of professional rugby. Heads-Up discusses insights into injury (specifically concussion), how they managed then and how they continue to manage with life after a professional career. The players offer insights into the culture around the game, their concussion experiences and their observations on player welfare, protective equipment and law changes to the game.  

About Ed Daly:
Ed Daly has over thirteen years of experience in sports coach education and more than five years of lecturing experience in third-level institutes. Ed is currently a PhD researcher focused on investigating concussion identification, concussion management and concussion reduction strategies.

Ed is an active PhD research scientist (Oxford Brookes University) specializing in concussion education, managing athlete workload, objective concussion diagnosis and post-concussion management. Currently developing research for the Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) based in GMIT.

Ed is a lecture in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in the area of Sport & Exercise Science within the School of Science & Computing. Programme coordinator for MSc (strength & conditioning).

Before moving to a career in lecturing, Ed worked in professional sports and spent over ten years as a coach with Munster Rugby, coaching age-grade players on the professional player development pathway and in injury incidence reduction via workload management (specializing in the area of strength & conditioning).

Contact Details:
Ed Daly
Email: [email protected]

Published by: Emma.Finnegan
Email: [email protected]

Episode 13: Ed Day speaks to Duncan Casey; a former Irish hooker, who played for his native province Munster before moving his career to France in 2018 playing with Grenoble until 2019 due to injury.

About the podcast:
The Heads-Up Podcast are a series of interviews with ex-professional male rugby players, elite female players and coaches about concussion in the sport. The podcasts discuss their early careers and very open commentary about the realities of professional rugby. Heads-Up discusses insights into injury (specifically concussion), how they managed then and how they continue to manage with life after a professional career. The players offer insights into the culture around the game, their concussion experiences and their observations on player welfare, protective equipment and law changes to the game.  

About Ed Daly:
Ed Daly has over thirteen years of experience in sports coach education and more than five years of lecturing experience in third-level institutes. Ed is currently a PhD researcher focused on investigating concussion identification, concussion management and concussion reduction strategies.

Ed is an active PhD research scientist (Oxford Brookes University) specializing in concussion education, managing athlete workload, objective concussion diagnosis and post-concussion management. Currently developing research for the Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) based in GMIT.

Ed is a lecture in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in the area of Sport & Exercise Science within the School of Science & Computing. Programme coordinator for MSc (strength & conditioning).

Before moving to a career in lecturing, Ed worked in professional sports and spent over ten years as a coach with Munster Rugby, coaching age-grade players on the professional player development pathway and in injury incidence reduction via workload management (specializing in the area of strength & conditioning).

Contact Details:
Ed Daly
Email: [email protected]