PESS

23/10/2026

📰 PESS in the Media | Can an adult beginner become a champion athlete or sports star?

Dr John Perry, Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) at the University of Limerick, is featured in a new RTÉ Brainstorm article exploring what it takes to start a sport as an adult and develop competence over time.

Drawing on John’s insights, the article highlights three key messages:

🏃 Enjoy the process. Adults can put pressure on themselves to improve quickly, but learning a new sport takes time. Give yourself permission to be a beginner.

🧠 Skill is more than technique. In team sports, understanding the game, reading patterns of play and making decisions under pressure are just as important as practising individual skills.

🤝 Sport is for everyone. You don’t have to be an elite performer to benefit from sport. Participation can support physical health, psychological wellbeing and social connection.

Read the full article by Quinton O’Reilly on RTÉ Brainstorm:

🔗 https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2026/1007/1593676-adult-sports-beginners-skill-level-exercise-fitness-ability/

22/10/2026

From UL to London GAA! 🇮🇪🇬🇧

In our latest PESS blog, Zac McKeon shares his co-op experience with London GAA, reflecting on the opportunities to apply his learning, gain practical experience and develop his skills beyond the classroom.

Read Zac’s story and find out more about his journey from UL to London 👇

🔗 https://pess.blog/2026/10/22/from-ul-to-london-gaa-zac-mckeons-co-op-experience/

22/10/2026

From UL to London GAA: Zac McKeon’s Co-op Experience

By Zac McKeon For fourth-year BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences student Zac McKeon, Co-op provided the opportunity to take his studies beyond the classroom and gain practical experience in the sports industry. Zac completed his placement with London GAA in London, UK, where he worked with the London GAA Strength & Conditioning team, Arete, while also gaining experience providing pitch-side first aid with GAA teams, particularly Tara GFC....

By Zac McKeon For fourth-year BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences student Zac McKeon, Co-op provided the opportunity to take his studies beyond the classroom and gain practical experience in the sports…

21/10/2026

💚 What is PESS?

At the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) at the University of Limerick, we connect research with real-world practice across sport, health and education.

Our work goes beyond the classroom, combining evidence-based research, applied learning and practical experience to make a meaningful impact on performance, wellbeing, education and wider society.

From lecture theatres to performance environments, our staff, students and researchers are helping turn knowledge into practice.

📰 Explore the PESS Blog for insights, stories and perspectives from our community:

https://pess.blog/

Follow us to stay connected with the latest research, opportunities and news from PESS.

🔗 LinkedIn: Physical Education and Sport Sciences UL

📲 Instagram:

20/10/2026

New Publication: A Longitudinal Investigation of ImPACT Scores Among Rugby Union Players

Blog Author: Laura Power (co-author) New research published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport examines changes in computerised neurocognitive testing scores among elite rugby union players over time. The study is the result of a collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), and researchers from the University of Limerick’s Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance (IRIS) research group....

Blog Author: Laura Power (co-author) New research published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport examines changes in computerised neurocognitive testing scores among elite rugby union pl…

20/10/2026

📢 New Research Report | Teachers’ Professional Journeys

Authors from UL include: P. F. Conway, A. Calderón, R. Lynch, N. O’Meara and G. Guralp.

The report explores stakeholder perspectives on initial teacher education, the continuum of teacher professional development and teacher supply across primary, post-primary and further education and training (FET) sectors in Ireland.

Key themes include the impact of policy developments, the quality of initial teacher education, school placement, ongoing professional development, teacher supply and diversity within the teaching profession.

The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the changing landscape of teacher education in Ireland and will inform future reports examining the professional journeys of early-career teachers.

📖 Read More on the PESS Blog: https://pess.blog/2026/10/12/new-publication-teachers-professional-journeys-during-the-first-decade-longitudinal-study-teacher-education-stakeholder-perspectives-on-initial-teacher-education-the-continuum-of-teacher-e/

Congratulations to all the researchers and collaborators involved in this important work.

19/10/2026

💚 Discover i-PLAY at PESS!

Everyone deserves the opportunity to play, move and be active.

The Inclusive Play & Leisure Activities for Youth (i-PLAY) programme at the University of Limerick provides weekly physical activity opportunities for children and young people aged 5–21 with disabilities and additional needs.

Through games, dance, fundamental movement skills and other activities, i-PLAY encourages physical activity, social interaction and enjoyment. Participants also receive individual support from PESS student teachers and health and fitness students, giving our students valuable practical experience in inclusive physical activity.

🔗 Find out more about i-PLAY:

https://www.ul.ie/ehs/pess/i-play

16/10/2026

🎓 Open Day is TODAY at UL!

Thinking about studying sport, exercise or physical education? Come along to the University of Limerick today and discover what PESS has to offer!

Meet our team, find out more about our courses and get a feel for student life at UL.

📍 University of Limerick
📅 Today, 16 October

We look forward to meeting you! 💚

🔗 Find out more: https://www.ul.ie/opendays/undergraduate-open-days

SportScience PhysicalEducation

16/10/2026

From student experiences and Co-op stories to new staff, postgraduate opportunities and research across PESS — September was a busy month on the PESS Blog.

Here’s a look at some of the stories you may have missed:

🎓 Student Co-op Placement Experiences

👋 Welcome to PESS

🏋️ MSc Sports Performance

🔬 Research & Expertise

🌍 Research Connections

Catch up on the latest stories and discover more of what’s happening across PESS.

🔗 Read the PESS Blog:
https://pess.blog/

15/10/2026

🎓 Scholarship Opportunities for PESS Students

Thinking about studying at the University of Limerick? There are a number of scholarship opportunities available to students across PESS.

💚 UL Sports Scholarship — awards of up to €10,000 for eligible full-time UL students or students applying through the CAO.

🎓 All Ireland Scholarships, sponsored by JP McManus — €6,750 for eligible students who are exempt from paying the Leaving Certificate Examination fee.

🚣 Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship — €2,500 for eligible full-time UL students or students applying through the CAO.

🌟 Elaine Fagan Scholarship — €5,000 for eligible first-year undergraduate students who entered UL through DARE.

Whether you’re applying to UL or already studying here, it’s worth exploring the funding opportunities available to you.

🔗 Find out more and check eligibility:

https://www.ul.ie/sportsscholarships

https://www.allirelandscholarships.com/

https://www.ul.ie/study/undergraduate/scholarships/paddy-dooley-rowing-scholarship

https://www.ul.ie/study/undergraduate/scholarships/elaine-fagan-scholarship