The 9 m/s Club: S&C coaching for GAA players

Become a Faster, stronger, & more explosive GAA player

The off-season programme behind 200+ GAA players: county call-ups, personal bests, and players' first injury-free seasons in years.
✓ Tested, built and adjusted around exactly what your body needs

200+ GAA players coached | 70+ 5-star Google reviews | Individual testing & programming

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My coaching philosophy

We will chase elite speed standards by improving:

01

Speed & power

Sprint technique and speed work, with gym work programmed to make you more explosive.

02

Strength & robustness

Build the strength to handle contact, stay durable and address the niggles that are holding you back.

03

Body comp & fitness

Reduce body fat, develop the engine to repeat high-intensity efforts, recover faster and finish games stronger.

Hamstring issues and other niggles are some of the most common reasons players get in touch with me.
Testing shows what's actually driving it - tight hip flexors, poor running mechanics, an old strain that never fully healed -  and the plan is built to fix the cause, not just work around it.
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Results

Transformations by club and county GAA players

Sean
Down 12kg and flying

"Flying it this season. Back playing, leaner than ever, and moving really well. I've been up top of runs at training — first time in years I've felt this fit and confident going into a season."

Sean, 31
Sandra
Leaner, faster, fitter

After outstanding 8-week block, this senior club camogie player greatly improved her strength, power, speed and fitness as well.

Sandra, 27
Charlie
Catching balls I never dreamt of before

"I saw clear progress both physically and mentally in myself throughout the 8 week period and it has brought me a great deal of motivation and boosted my morale."

Charlie, 19
Will
BEST PHYSICAL LEVEL IN YEARS

"Over the past 12 weeks working with Kevin, I’ve seen significant improvements in the gym and on the field. My fitness, strength and athletic performance are at the best level they’ve been in a long time."

Will, 29
Paddy
Hamstring niggles resolved

County player with recurring hamstring problems. Structured prehab, strengthening and load management. First season in 5 years without a hamstring strain.

Paddy, 33
Liam
Galway senior call-up

"Really good experience. Loved how his plan made me improve my speed and the meal plan simple but effective."

Liam, 25
Paddy
Wexford senior call-up

"Helped improve my speed massively and my understanding of the correct gym work for a GAA player."

Paddy, 31
Roisin
Faster and leaner

"Transformative experience. I saw real, measurable improvements in my body composition, strength, and speed — things I had been trying to achieve on my own for years without success."

Roisin, 26
Barry
Leanest in 15 years, still improving on the pitch

"The whole programme was tailored to my needs. I am the lightest I've been in 15 years and extremely toned as well. The weekly check-in is brilliant and keeps me motivated and honest."

Barry, 39
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How we get results

The 9 m/s Club performance system

Two players can have exactly the same goal and need completely different training to achieve it. That's why I don't just send you a programme when you sign up.

Test
Week 1
Train
Weeks 1–7
Re-test
Week 8

You're not left guessing until week 8 - technique, session quality and how you move change well before the retest confirms it on paper.

01

Assess

We test: Acceleration, top speed, change of direction, lower-body power, strength, conditioning, mobility, body composition, sprint mechanics, injury history and current training load.

02

Identify

You receive a Performance Profile showing your strongest qualities, your main physical limitations, how you compare with club and inter-county standards, what may be increasing your injury risk, and your three main priorities for the next block.

03

Build

Your individual programme connects gym, speed, conditioning, mobility, recovery, nutrition, prehab and your team schedule.

04

Coach

You receive direct messaging, weekly check-ins, technique feedback, weekly programme adjustments, monthly reviews, and support when fixtures, fatigue or niggles change.

05

Re-test and analyse

You retest every six to eight weeks. We compare your updated results against your baseline, show exactly what improved, and rebuild the next phase around what you need next.

The evidence

What testing actually shows

Real testing data and feedback from players on the programme - speed, power, body composition and hamstring strength.

Speed

Speed changes inside 8 weeks for senior club footballers in Offaly (male) and Dublin (female).

Speed testing screenshot

Matthew, senior club player in Cork, made huge strides during his 8 weeks.

Speed testing screenshot

Sean, Kerry senior club footballer, improved his speed significantly at 35 years old.

Speed testing screenshot

Tiernan turned his speed into a 'weapon I use in games'

Speed testing screenshot

Sean is now feeling 'unstoppable' at top speed.

Speed testing screenshot

9 m/s is the speed standard we always aim for and John is hitting it regularly now.

Speed testing screenshot

Jack was full of confidence after clearing 9m/s twice on champinship week.

Speed testing screenshot

Power

Michael, senior club hurler in Kilkenny, added 10% horizontal power and can now jump 12% higher.

Power testing screenshot

Cillian was always strong but he developed the ability to express that quicker and more effectively.

Power testing screenshot

Sorcha realised feeling more confident in the tackle is a big benefit of adding power.

Power testing screenshot

Defenders can't live with Paddy's new-found athleticism.

Power testing screenshot

All the work in the gym and pitch will lead to this feeling like Natasha experienced.

Power testing screenshot


Body composition

8kg stripped off for Jamie while he also built muscle and strength.

Body composition testing screenshot

Cillian lost 10kg and got stronger, more explosive and powerful.

Body composition testing screenshot

A drop in 7kg for Seamus helped him go into pre-season in great shape.

Body composition testing screenshot

Hamstring strength

Improve your hamstring strength and you'll drastically reduce the number of hamstring injuries you pick up. John mad massive strides here.

Hamstring strength testing screenshot

80% increase in hamstring strength after 6 weeks in the programme for Pearse

Hamstring strength testing screenshot

Darragh almost doubled his hamstring strength in 8 weeks.

Hamstring strength testing screenshot
Kevin O'Brien Kevin O'Brien playing
Your coach

Kevin O'Brien

✓S&C coach at club and senior inter-county level
✓Currently undertaking MSc in Performance Coaching
✓3x Offaly SFC titles as player
✓200+ GAA players coached online
✓Podcast host
✓Journalist & author


Over the last decade, I've looked at GAA performance from three different angles: as a player, a journalist and now as a strength & conditioning coach.

Today I coach GAA players online across Ireland and work at county level, which means I understand the reality of trying to develop physically while balancing team training, matches, work and everything else that comes with being a GAA player.

Coaching app

Your programme, delivered through the Humans of Gaelic app

Every session runs through my coaching app. Open it and everything is ready: sets, reps and coaching notes, video demos for every exercise, and a direct line to me whenever you need it.

Humans of Gaelic app screen
Humans of Gaelic app screen
Humans of Gaelic app screen
Humans of Gaelic app screen
Humans of Gaelic app screen
Humans of Gaelic app screen
Start training today
What's included

1-1 coaching built completely around you

Your complete off-season performance system

Your Performance Profile


Ratings across speed, strength, power, conditioning, movement and body composition, plus your key priorities.

Individual weekly performance programme


Gym, speed, conditioning, mobility, recovery and prehab mapped around your club schedule.

Full meal plan and nutrition structure


A realistic meal plan built around your current food preferences, training and body-composition goal.

Bonus

Direct coaching


Weekly check-ins, video feedback, monthly reviews and programme adjustments.

Retesting every 6–8 weeks


Objective evidence of what has improved and what the next block should target.

Resource library


A supporting resource library covering match-day nutrition, sprint technique, sleep, psychology and hamstring injury-proofing.

Bonus

What your Performance Profile looks like

Performance Profile 1 Performance Profile 2 Performance Profile 3 Performance Profile 4 Performance Profile 5

Drag or use arrows to scroll

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Before you join

Who this is actually for

This is for you if
  • You don't want to get burned for speed anymore
  • You already train but lack an individual structure
  • You spent last season battling niggly injuries
  • You want to feel more athletic and fitter
  • You want to take the guesswork out of your training
Not for you if
  • You only want a general gym plan to follow
  • You don't intend to check in or track your sessions
  • You don't want to go onto the pitch to do speed training
  • You're happy with your current progress
  • You're looking for the cheapest possible programme

The players who look completely different next year are the ones who used this window better.

Start your 7-day free trial
Simple, transparent pricing

One coach. One system.
Two ways to join.

Both options include the same programme, the same coaching, and the same testing. No sales call — join the free trial and see if it's for you.

Weekly
€79
per week (cancel any time)
≈ €11.29 a day
✓7-day free trial to start
✓Full baseline testing
✓Personalised weekly programme
✓Training app access
✓Weekly check-ins & adjustments
✓Re-testing every 6–8 weeks
Start 7-day free trial
Best value
Monthly
€299
per month (saves ~€17/week)
≈ €9.97 a day
✓7-day free trial to start
✓Full baseline testing
✓Personalised weekly programme
✓Training app access
✓Weekly check-ins & adjustments
✓Re-testing every 6–8 weeks
Start 7-day free trial →
The guarantee

If it doesn't work, I coach you free

Complete your agreed sessions, check-ins and retesting. If none of the performance markers we identified as priorities have improved after your first full eight-week block, I will coach your next block free.

Your priorities are agreed from your baseline testing. They may include speed, power, strength, body composition, movement or conditioning, depending on what your performance actually needs.

The only risk is 7 days finding out if this works for you.
Common questions

Answered honestly

What if my championship finishes later than everyone else's?
Your programme starts whenever your season ends - there's no fixed start date. Whether that's September or November, your 12–16 week block begins from your first week with me.
When should I start my off-season?
As soon as your season ends and you've had a short recovery period. The earlier you start, the longer you have to build speed, strength and fitness before next year.
I've tried programmes before and they didn't work.
Most programmes are static — you get a plan and follow it regardless of the stage of your season. This one changes with you. It's built for your position, goals, and injury history. Testing at the start means we know exactly what needs work. Re-testing every 6–8 weeks means you can see what's actually changed.
What if I have an injury or I'm coming back from one?
Injury history is part of the intake process from day one. If something flares up during the programme, the plan adjusts around it. I have loads of great rehab and prehab sessions I can give you for the most common injuries and niggles.
How long should I take off after my season finishes?
Most players benefit from one to two weeks of complete rest before easing back into structured training. After that, the sooner you start rebuilding, the more you'll get out of the off-season.
How much time does this take each week?
That depends on your week. The programme is built around how much time you actually have. Most players do 2–4 sessions per week outside of club training. If things get tight, the programme adjusts.
I'm a club player - is this only for county level?
Most of the 200+ players on the programme are club-level. The principles are the same regardless of level. If anything, club players typically have more room to improve because proper S&C training is far less common at that level.
Is this just a plan I could get online?
No. A plan you find online doesn't know your schedule, your injury history, your position, or your current fitness levels. It doesn't re-test every 6–8 weeks or adjust when your week changes. The value is the structure, the ongoing adjustments, and the accountability.
What's the difference between weekly and monthly?
The programme is identical. Monthly billing works out slightly cheaper — roughly €17 per week less. Both start with a 7-day free trial and both can be cancelled any time.
What happens after the free trial?
Your card isn't charged until after the 7-day trial ends. During the trial you'll complete your testing and receive your programme. If at any point in that first week you decide it's not for you, cancel with one message. No charge, no awkward calls.

The off-season is where next season gets decided

Every player who joins gets the same starting point: a full test, a clear picture of where they stand, and a programme built around it. Your 7-day free trial covers exactly that.

Start your 7-day free trial

No charge for 7 days. Cancel any time. Weekly and monthly plans available.

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