McGinley to headline coaching conference

EUROPE’S 2014 Ryder Cup-winning captain and one of the leading Irish professional golfers Paul McGinley will headline this weekend’s GAA’s Games Development Conference in Croke Park.

The conference, which takes place tonight and tomorrow is expected to attract 750 delegates to listen to talks relating to key coaching issues in GAA.

McGinley will be joined by former England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster, now coaching with Leinster, and Waterford native John McGrath, a coach to world long-jump champion Luvo Manyonga who has an extensive background in sports coaching and motivational speaking with previous associations with hurling, rowing, martial arts, and strength and conditioning.

The theme of the conference is ‘Think it – Do it – Become it’ and it is player-focused.

McGinley has a background in GAA and was a prominent club player with Ballyboden St Enda’s before injury curtailed his career and sent him on a different path.

In addition, there will be presentations from past players Jason Sherlock (Dublin), Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Peter Canavan (Tyrone), Brendan Cummins (Tipperary), Steven McDonnell (Armagh) and Tony Óg Regan (Galway) who have become immersed in coaching and development since their inter-county careers ended.

The conference commences tonight with a ‘Youth Players’ forum exploring issues around the adequacy of games programmes.