Barry Horgan PhD MSc combines his experience from previous roles as a strength and conditioning (S&C) coach, sport scientist (exercise physiology), Gaelic football coach, and applied researcher in high-performance sport into his current role as General Manager, Gaelic Football, Meath GAA. Currently, his role is to design and manage the strategy, structure, and performance of the Gaelic football development pathway in County Meath, delivering increased high-performance of football development squads and associated players up to sub-Senior level; to prepare players to perform at the highest level possible at Senior inter-county and/or adult club level. This includes the provision of effective performance and preparation programmes, including but not limited to football coaching, sport science, athletic development, medical, psychological skills, and performance analysis.
Barry has worked across multiple team (GAA, AFL, rugby union, rugby league) and Olympic sport (volleyball, swimming) environments in Ireland and Australia. Previous roles include Head of Performance, Academy & Pathways, as well as S&C coach to the SuperRugby squad at Brumbies Rugby. His primary areas of expertise lie in high-performance management, S&C, as well as the application of performance recovery in team sport settings. He completed his PhD in Performance Recovery at the Australian Institute of Sport. Barry has multiple peer-reviewed publications and regularly travels to speak at international conferences (ASCA, NSCA). He also co-authored a book titled ‘Building Physical Skills – A Strength and Resistance Training Manual for Young Players’. Barry is accredited with the ASCA (PCAS Elite Coach) and ESSA (ASpS2)
