On episode 211 I am delighted to be joined by Irish and UCONN hepathlete Diarmuid O’Connor. He is Ireland’s leading multi event men's athlete currently in his final year at UCONN.  

We recorded court side at Gampbell Pavillion on campus to discuss his career, his journey to the states, life as a multi-eventer, training at home vs USA, UCONN, injuries, potential and Katie Taylor. Take a look at his career below!

Diarmuid is originally from west Cork and played multiple sports growing up. This led into his athletic career where he would choose the heptathlon.  He would train and compete for Old Abbey AC before transferring to Bandon AC. The sport ran in his family as his cousin Brian Lynch, was also a multi-eventer who competed in the u18 European Championships in 2018.

A talented teenager he qualified for the European Youth Olympics in Baku back in 2019, where he finished 6th.

While he won the Irish U20 Decathlon championships in September 202O with a total of 6,807 points, things had just not yet clicked with him. However, in June 2021 at an international multi-events competition in Tenerife, he qualified for the European u20 championships and finished 4th overall 

Additionally he set a new Irish u20 record of 7.604 points obliterating Barry Walsh’s mark that had stood for 36 years.

He originally attended Texas Tech however was suffered multiple injuries and as a result returned home. Following a 3 month stint in Belgium training with a pro group he returned to the United States and this time to Connecticut.

At the Big East championships in Villanova, following a 3 year break from competing, he he won the competition with a total of 7,610 points and set a new National U23 record, one that was 22 years standing. It was regarded as the best performance by an Irish athlete in the decathlon for over 30 years at the time.

O'Connor took home the top spot in the 2024 BIG EAST Outdoor Championships in the decathlon, with a score of 7,610 points... Qualified for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, finishing 13th in decathlon at 7,546 points, earning second team All-American status.

In 2025 he was named NCAA Second Team All-American, placing 15th in decathlon with 7,580 points.

https://www.trackathletes.ie/athlete/diarmuidoconnor_16134/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 211 I am delighted to be joined by Irish sprinting coach Gerard O’Donnell. Gerard is head coach at Dublin sprint where he trains elite athletes including Sophie Becker and Jack Rafferty, and national relay coach for all of the national squads. 

Gerard is also a national champion himself competing in the hurdles however is focusing on coaching and is a full time athletics coach. 

We discuss coaching, athletics, mechanics, how to program sprinting to get faster, his advice to GAA coaches, his approach with elite athletes and more. 

We discuss his thoughts on what separates the best from the rest, recent Irish success and who he learns from.

This is a fascinating insight into the life and approach of an elite sprint coach with insights for anyone involved in not just athletics but GAA, Basketball, soccer and beyond. 

This episode was recorded in person in December 2025.

Follow Gerard here

https://www.instagram.com/dublin_sprint/

https://www.instagram.com/gerard_od_/

https://www.godspeed.ie/

Thanks to our sponsor Taranis Recovery. Use the discount code SIDELINE15 for 15% off your purchase on ⁠⁠⁠⁠taranisrecovery.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ . An Irish-owned brand focused on helping athletes recover smarter, Rise higher and Live stronger. 

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

⁠https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive⁠

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 210 I am delighted to welcome back sports psychologist and co host of the high performance podcast Damian Hughes.

Damian and I spoke 4 years ago and upon the release of his new book MicroHabits we decided it would be an ideal time to record another episode.

We review our conversation 4 years ago, high performance vs world class, the cost or shadow side of elite sport, the all in mindset, his new book, retirement in sport, passion & discipline, his insights from recording nearly 400 episodes of the High performance podcast and so much more.

Damian is one of the best in the business working with elite teams and coaches across the planet along with his work on the high performance podcast. His book micro habits is available now please consider supporting local irish independent bookshops.

Listen to episode 57 for part one with Damian on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SKydTDHeUAfy8Fao0A7aM?si=MG1TUWtfQPOCThltMkq8jA

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thesidelinelive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesidelinelive/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode #209 I am delighted to be joined by Texas Freshman and Irish sprinting sensation Conor Kelly who has cemented himself as one of Ireland’s brightest talents.

This episode was recorded in November in Austin Texas where Conor recently began his college career as a Texas Longhorn. 

We discuss his career as a spinner, his recent move to Austin Texas following in the footsteps of Rshadiat Adeleke and what it is like training with world renowned Coach Flo. We also break down his training, cues, reps and life in Austin. We also discuss his recent success where Conor dominated on the European underage stage over the last 18 months. 

In 2024 at the European U18 Championships in Slovakia, he claimed a bronze medal while setting a new Irish U18 record of 46.97 seconds. Less than one year later (Feb 25), he recorded 46.54 seconds in the final of at the Irish Indoor Championships in Abbotstown, winning the national indoor title and setting a new Irish U20 indoor record. His form continued into the summer months as on August 9th 2025, at the European U20 Championships in Finland, Kelly delivered a dominant performance in the 400 m final, winning gold in 45.83 seconds and setting a brand new Irish U20 record outdoors.

Conor became the ninth ever Irish athlete ever to win gold at the European U20 Championships and his time of 45.83 seconds places him among the top senior-level Irish 400m athletes, despite still being eligible for U20 competition this year. 

As Irish sprinting is entering arguably their golden era, Kelly is one of the many athletes spearheading the charge as the tri colour becomes a regular feature across world and olympic sprint finals.

Thanks to our sponsor Taranis Recovery. Use the discount code SIDELINE15 for 15% off your purchase on ⁠⁠⁠taranisrecovery.com⁠⁠⁠ . An Irish-owned brand focused on helping athletes recover smarter, Rise higher and Live stronger. 

Tune in to hear from one of Ireland’s brightest upcoming sports stars.

Find Conor here https://www.instagram.com/conorklly/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 208 I am delighted to be joined by world renowned coach and Director of Sports Performance for UConn Women’s Basketball, Andrea Hudy otherwise known as Coach Hudy. 

Hudy holds an MBA, PhD and has contributed to 10 national championships during her career as a strength coach.

A proud UConn alumna, she earned her master’s degree in sport biomechanics in 1999 and previously served the Huskies from 1995 to 2004, contributing to three programs that secured eight NCAA Championships.

She she spent 15 years at the University of Kansas, and was instrumental in the men’s basketball program’s 2008 NCAA Championship and its NCAA-record 14 consecutive regular-season conference titles. In 2021, she played a pivotal role in helping Texas Men’s Basketball win its first-ever Big 12 Tournament Championship. She returned to Uconn and contributed to their 12th national title in 2025.

Hudy has trained and mentored more than 100 athletes who have advanced to the NBA or WNBA. She has worked under three Hall of Fame coaches and collaborated with some of the world’s leading researchers.

In 2025, she earned her PhD, specializing in longitudinal monitoring in elite women’s basketball, with a focus on cumulative workload, recovery dynamics and athlete resilience across multiple competitive seasons.

Coach Hudy and I connected thanks to Donnie Maib who I met in Austin and recorded this episode in person from her office at the Werth Family UConn Basketball Champions Center. Note this was recorded in November on campus in Storrs Connecticut.

We discuss coaching, elite performers, her research, chaos, balance, UCONN, learning, mental toughness and more.

One of the most impromptu podcasts I have recorded however full of valuable insights and lessons from one of the best coaches in the world. Hudy thanks for your time and look forward to catching a hurling game with you in Cork soon.

Follow Coach Hudy here 

Instagram · a_hudy26.8K+ followersAndrea Hudy (@a_hudy)

Read her research here Sportsmithhttps://www.sportsmith.coAndrea Hudy

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

⁠https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive⁠

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 207 I am delighted to be joined by Cuala Director of Coaching Mark Brennan. Mark is originally from Carlow and was a dual player for his native county. He has since turned his hand to coaching and was involved in the rise of the Meath senior ladies football team where they would win back to back all Ireland’s in 2021 and 2022. Mark also worked as a GPO in clubs across Dublin. 

We discuss coaching, the role of director of coaching, being a dual player, Cuala, Meath ladies success, learning from elite sporting environments including Saracens & Harvard and more! 

Please note this episode was recorded in early September 2025. Prior to any Ladies Football rule enhancements 

Find Mark here 

https://x.com/MarkBren13 

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/mark-brennan-b48a8a52   

Thanks to our sponsor Taranis Recovery. Use the discount code SIDELINE15 for 15% off your purchase on ⁠taranisrecovery.com⁠ . An Irish-owned brand focused on helping athletes recover smarter, Rise higher and Live stronger. 

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

⁠https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive⁠

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 206 I am joined by Sligo senior footballer Luke Towey. Luke also spent 2 seasons in Australia playing AFL and is an entrepreneur. He previously set up a portable sauna in the west of Ireland and has now created The Performance Journal. A Simple & No Bullsh*t journal to help track Goals & Sessions.

We discuss journalling & performance, what it takes to be at the top of his game, being a professional, transitioning back from AFL to GAA and more.

Check out the Instagram page for a giveaway of 2 performance journals!

Listen to episode 186 with former Sligo manager Tony McEntee.

Purchase the journal here

https://www.instagram.com/the_performance_journal/

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 205 I am delighted to be joined by Junior World Swimming Champion John Shortt.

Originally from Galway his first sport was rugby however he realised as a teenager his real potential lay in Swimming. He spent TY commuting to UL to the National Swimming programme and decided to move to Limerick in 5th year to be closer to his training facility.

John made history this summer with a breakthrough performances at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Romania, winning gold in both the 100m and 200m backstroke and bronze in the 50m backstroke — becoming only the second Irish swimmer ever to win a World Junior title. On the day of a gold medal victory he also received his leaving cert results. 2025 turned out to be one of the best seasons we have seen in Irish swimming as he finished with 24 records to his name!

John is on track to become one of Ireland's top senior athletes and is a remarkable young man outside of the pool. We discussed his career to date, moving to Limerick as a teenager, looking for 1%, video analysis, how he managed his leaving cert results and a world final in the same day & more.

Please note this episode was recorded in late October prior to the RTÉ Sport Awards and the European Short course championships where John won his first senior medal.

Thanks to our sponsor Taranis Recovery. Use the discount code SIDELINE15 for 15% off your purchase on taranisrecovery.com . An Irish-owned brand focused on helping athletes recover smarter, Rise higher and Live stronger.

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠ 

On this episode 204 I am delighted to be joined by Texas Women's head basketball coach Vic Schafer.

This episode was recorded in person from coach Schafer's office on campus in November 2025. We discuss his coaching philosophy, reason for coaching, how recruiting has changed, the attributes he looks for in his players & coaching staff and more.

Listen to Grace Prenter's episode here https://open.spotify.com/episode/7yUo76pJV6RtAhdcHMnHeL?si=e8aef2f2f1a44438

Vic Schafer Bio: Overall record 435–206

• Vic Schaefer began his head-coaching career at Sam Houston State (1990–1997), rebuilding the program and earning Southland Coach of the Year honors.

• At Mississippi State (2012–2020), he turned the Bulldogs into a national powerhouse, reaching two NCAA finals and snapping UConn’s historic win streak in 2017.

• He took over Texas (2020–present) and quickly restored the Longhorns as a national contender with conference titles and deep NCAA runs.

• Renowned for elite defensive culture and consistency, Schaefer has led multiple programs to sustained success at the highest level of women’s college basketball.

  
  

  Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

  ⁠https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive⁠

  Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

  Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ . 

  If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

On episode 203 I am delighted to be joined by one of Australia's best ever Aussie Rules coaches Alan McConnell.

We discuss coaching, attributes of elite coaches, leadership, captains and more. We also discuss AFLW and the influx in Irish players. Alan was the mastermind behind Cora Staunton's move to Australia and also signed Brid Stack. Two athletes that made a remarkable effect not only on the team but Alan as a coach.

Known for his calm leadership, tactical clarity, and deep understanding of high-performance environments, Alan has been influential in shaping players both on and off the field. hE brings a thoughtful perspective on coaching, culture, and the evolving demands of elite sport.

Since stepping down from Western Sydney Giants AFLW he is now working as a coach developer with olympic and paralympic sports in Australia.

Loads of insights throughout with gems and nuggets from Alan's tenure as a coach. This episode was recorded a few months ago and experienced audio issues at times. Thanks to Paul McConnell of the great coaches podcast for connecting us both.

Follow The Sideline Live Social Media channels and the host Orla here: 

https://linktr.ee/TheSidelineLive

Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

If you are looking to set up your own podcast get in touch with the Prymal Productions team ⁠⁠⁠www.prymal.ie⁠⁠⁠