Sport’s quiet man

[JMohan]

Sport's quiet man

By Brendan Crossan
08/11/08


Acclaimed sports consultant Fergus Connolly has helped some of the biggest names in sport, but as Brendan Crossan finds out, he seldom courts the spotlight...



FERGUS Connolly is a reluctant interviewee. The 31-year-old sports performance consultant normally doesn't give interviews or pose for photographs.

A mutual friend put him up to the idea of allowing the Irish News to shine a light on some of his work with Nicolas Anelka, Gavin Henson, Bernard Dunne Derry's gaelic footballers,

In the past, the publicity-shy Scotstown native has turned down several requests to be interviewed by this newspaper.

After 40 minutes of conversation you have a clear understanding of the former schoolteacher's philosophy.

It's not the Fergus Connolly show.

It's not Fergus Connolly who climbs into the boxing ring. It's not Fergus Connolly who scores goals in the English Premiership. It's not Fergus Connolly who plays centre for Wales.

For Connolly, it's all about the athlete, not the so-called 'sports guru' who emerges from the shadows every now and then to feast on a slice of the adulation.

Neither does Connolly want to be an intriguing mystery. There are some people who are more comfortable in the background.


Imagine for a moment the profile he'd undoubtedly receive if he was more PR savvy. Even so, Connolly's work alone is making its own way in the world of top level sport.


Connolly made a huge impression on the Derry footballers last season after being ecommended by trainer John McCloskey.

Ask Paddy and Eoin Bradley, Conleith Gilligan, Kevin McCloy or Joe Diver their opinion of the

low-profile Connolly and each of them will provide glowing appraisals of his work.

"I went to Derry to try to make athletes better athletes," he says.

"I did a lot of work with the likes of Paddy and Eoin Bradley, Conleith Gilligan, Kevin McCloy and Joe Diver, but I don't make them better footballers.

"For instance, Joe Diver is a phenomenal athlete. Outstanding. So too is Paddy Bradley.

"If Derry get things right there's no reason why they shouldn't win something because they have so much talent."

He was recently appointed to the Welsh Rugby Football Union as their sports science co-ordinator.

New Derry manager Damian Cassidy was keen to retain his services, but Connolly couldn't refuse the WRFU's offer.

He has also helped prepare super bantamweight challenger Bernard Dunne for his next fight against Cristian "El Terrible" Faccio in Castlebar next week.

Connolly has travelled extensively and written many papers on sports performance.

He absorbed many lessons during his time studying America's NFL before shadowing the world-renowned All Blacks conditioning coach Ashley Jones as well as working closely with Super 14s outfit Canterbury Crusaders.

He attended seminars at European soccer giants Bayern Munich and AC Milan and gained invaluable insight and worked with English Premiership club Bolton Wanderers before moving home last year. So what actually is it that Connolly does?

Take boxer Bernard Dunne as a case-study. The Dubliner was forced to re-appraise his preparations after suffering a devastating knock-out to Kiko Martinez last year.

"Bernard wanted to improve his power and strength," explains Connolly. "He was fast enough, he just didn't want to lose any speed."

The basic aim was for Dunne to become stronger at his fighting weight by converting some of his body fat to muscle. The boxer's body fat has been reduced by five per cent [14 per cent to nine per cent].

Connolly, who has worked closely with wily boxing trainer Harry Hawkins and Michael McGurn, swears by coconut oil in helping to reduce an athlete's body fat and puts great purchase in the Omegawave machine which provides wide-ranging scientific tests on athletes.

Connolly's is very much a holistic approach that delves into the psychological, physical and physiological.

"It's not just about writing out a weights programme; it's about writing the right programme that is suited to that particular athlete. It's about managing an athlete's nutrition, diet and recovery among other things.

"But you're always looking for somebody who's hungry and driven," he says. "It was very clear after sitting down with Bernard what he wanted. He is very talented, but very, very driven."

Connolly's first love remains gaelic football. He envisages a return to the local game.

And when he does, we will all know a little more about Fergus Connolly's work.

"When you get the opportunity to work with the likes of Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards, Ryan Jones and Shane Williams, it's great," he says. "But gaelic football is my sport. It's still the best sport out there. I will come back to it eventually, but not at the minute."




Interesting ... then found this then when I googled him
http://www.fergusconnolly.com/newsite/

[southoftheborder]

worked with him before, true professional, an knows his stuff!

he was involved with wales yesterday