My Weekend: 'You could say my work takes over the weekend'

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work?

I live in Clonakilty with my wife Louise, children Sam and Sophie, and Maggie the dog. I’m self-employed as a performance coach, providing strength and conditioning, sports science, and coaching support to teams, coaches and individuals. It is ultimately about helping in some aspect of an individual or team’s ability to improve performance.

That could be for example, helping a person develop athletically, leading the S&C/coaching directly with a team, while I would provide some element of S&C/performance support to a team, coach, or club.

This is tailored to a group or coaches particular needs and can involve a mix of on/off site work, or could involve testing or delivering a workshop.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Most weekday nights are spent working so when I have a Friday off, the ideal way is to stay at home and spend time with family.

Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

Do not do lie ins..Sleep is really important to health, recovery, performance and need consistent sleep routine, but at the same time, I always like getting up early. Once awake it’s time to get up.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

You could say my work takes over the weekend. In my job, whether it be in the gym, on the pitch or at a match, the weekends will always be busy. That’s the way it is and always has been.

If money was no object, where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

New York and bring the family with me. I spent a summer in New York when I was younger. I have been back twice previously on holiday. Great city and would like to go back now as the children are a bit older so they can enjoy it more.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

You can’t beat just being out in the fresh air to help recharge the batteries. Living in Clonakilty, there are many options on our doorstep, whether that be taking the dog for a walk on the greenway or heading to Long Strand/Fish Basket. There is something about being near the sea which is relaxing. Completing regular exercise is also helpful in this regard.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Weekends are quite busy already with work but as people are off, I look to prioritise some time with family.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

I suppose I could say playing Gaelic football is my hobby. While I also work in sport, you could also say sport in general is a hobby. During the summer months, I like to play a few holes of golf and enjoy attending different sports events, whether that be Cork seniors playing or heading to a Munster game.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter do you have a signature dish?

Definitely rather be entertained. A meal in a nice restaurant is always good.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork – where are your go to spots for coffee/lunch/special meal?

Again, spoilt for choice down west. For coffee, head to Revel, or Blossom drive-thru in Clonakilty, Bert’s does a good brunch, while in Timoleague, Monk’s Lane is a favourite for eating out.

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

Sunday nights are normally spent at home with family, or on occasion, we would head to Scannells in Clonakilty for a drink.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

The alarm is set for 8am. Some may say that is a lie in!

Anything else you are up to right now...

Just busy with work/life and looking forward to an enjoyable 2026. There will always be ups and downs, that’s part of life, but at same time we have only one go at it, so we might as well try and enjoy it.