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20 Dec 2025
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20 Dec 2025
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Atlantic Technological University sports science students, who provide S&C coaching to ATU Galway’s GAA men’s and women’s teams, have secured no less than nine paid, full-time work placements as Connacht GAA Club Development Officers commencing in the new year.
With several other sports courses running around the country, this is seen as a major coup for Atlantic Technological University and for the fourth-year sports science students who secured these positions following interviews.
2026 will mark the third year of Connacht GAA’s Club Development Officer (CDO) initiative, which has provided coaching and assistance through the CDOs to 87 clubs across the province in its first two years.
The nine successful ATU students include four from Mayo: Orla Boyce, (Kilmoremoy), Jessica Neary (Ballina), Conor Ryan (Kilmaine) and James Harrington (Bonniconlon). Delighted with the high number of ATU Galway students accepted to work as CDOs, ATU Galway Gaelic Games Development Officer, Damien Coleman, says that the students will not just benefit from the experience, but will also secure further qualifications.
“The students are well looked after over a 39-hour week and they will also undertake a Connacht Award 1 Strength & Conditioning course, along with Garda vetting, safeguarding and ICGG (Introduction to Coach Gaelic Games) foundation award,” begins Coleman.
Coleman concluded by saying “Placements are from February to June 2026, and the students will cater for all age groups in the club, from nursery programmes and child through to youth and adult. It will include primary schools coaching, Go Games and athletic development. Once they get all that on their CV, along with hopefully a glowing reference from the club, it will put them in a strong position when seeking further employment in their chosen field.”
From left to right: Jessica Neary, Ballina and Orla Boyce, Kilmoremoy. From right to left: Conor Ryan, Kilmaine, Mayo and James Harrington, Bonniconlon.
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