My Co-op Experience with Kerry GAA: Sophia Doherty

Sophia Doherty, 3rd Year Sport and Exercise Student

As part of my Sport and Exercise Science degree at the University of Limerick, I completed my co-op placement with Kerry GAA. Looking back, it has been one of the most valuable parts of my degree so far. It has helped me grow in confidence, develop practical skills and gain experiences that can’t be taught unless you’re involved first-hand.

Working with Kerry GAA

Kerry GAA is responsible for the development and promotion of Gaelic games across the county. From introducing primary school children to football and hurling to supporting underage development squads and senior inter-county teams, there is a huge amount happening behind the scenes.

Kerry GAA also runs academies, camps, coaching programmes and competitions that help develop players, coaches and the wider community.

No Two Days are the Same

One of my favourite things about this placement is that no two days are the same.

A typical week can involve delivering Gaelic football sessions in primary and secondary schools, promoting the games through skills competitions and blitzes, coaching at academies and camps, working with my club team and supporting development squads.

I’ve also had the opportunity to assist with Kerry underage squads in a physiotherapy-related role, helping with player monitoring and injury management under supervision. This has exposed me to a wide range of areas within sport and has definitely helped me figure out what I enjoy most.

Skills I’ve developed

Since starting my placement, I’ve developed a wide range of skills, particularly in coaching, communication and organisation.

I’ve learned how to adapt sessions for different ages and abilities, manage large groups of players and communicate effectively with everyone from primary school children to county athletes.

Working with underage squads has also given me a much stronger understanding of player development, injury awareness and what life in a high-performance environment actually looks like.

A Highlight of the Placement

Working with the underage development squads has been a real highlight. Before this placement, I didn’t fully appreciate how much planning and teamwork goes into developing young players and supporting their progression through the pathway.

I especially enjoyed seeing the return-to-play process up close. It’s not just about physical recovery; it involves communication, planning, monitoring and rebuilding a player’s confidence.

Seeing players return to the pitch and enjoy the game again has been incredibly rewarding.

Applying what I’ve learnt from my Degree

My degree has given me a strong foundation in coaching, biomechanics, anatomy, nutrition and sports rehabilitation, all of which I’ve been able to apply throughout my placement.

The practical modules, especially Sports Injuries, helped build my confidence going into different environments and made me feel prepared to contribute from day one.

Overcoming Challenges

The biggest challenge has been switching between so many different roles, age groups and personalities, especially when coaching children with different confidence levels and abilities.

Over time, I’ve become more organised and adaptable. I’ve learned that the best sessions aren’t always the most complex ones, but the ones where every player feels involved, challenged and enjoys themselves while developing.

The Most Rewarding Part

Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of my placement has been the relationships I’ve built with players.

There is nothing better than seeing children excited for training, hearing that you’ve helped someone improve or getting a simple “thank you” from a player returning from injury.

Knowing I’ve had a positive impact on both their development and enjoyment of the game has made this experience incredibly meaningful.

Looking Towards the Future

This experience has had a huge influence on my future career plans.

While I’ve really enjoyed the coaching side of the placement, it has confirmed that I’m particularly interested in pursuing a physiotherapy-related pathway within sport.

I’ve found the greatest satisfaction in supporting players through injury rehabilitation and return-to-play, helping them regain confidence and get back doing what they love.

This experience has given me a much clearer direction for the future and reinforced my ambition to work in sports physiotherapy and athlete support.

Advice for Future Co-op Students

Do something you genuinely enjoy.

Nine months is a long time and although it absolutely flies by, having a real interest in what you’re doing makes all the difference. Whether it’s the organisation itself or an area you want to develop, you’ll learn so much more when you look forward to turning up each day.

I chose Kerry GAA because I have a love for sport and the community around it.

Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone either — you might discover a passion you didn’t expect.

Final Reflections

Overall, this placement has been one of the most valuable parts of my degree so far.

It has helped me grow in confidence, develop practical skills and gain experiences that can’t be taught unless you’re involved first-hand.

Most importantly, it has given me a clearer picture of the career I want to pursue and reminded me why I chose Sport and Exercise Science in the first place.