#213 Vern Gambetta // Coaching the best to get better

On episode 254 I am delighted to be joined by Irish professional tennis player and the 2026 Irish open champion Conor Gannon. Conor grew up playing tennis in his local club in south Dublin. He dreamt of turning pro and looked up to major stars but also home-grown talent including his now close friend David O’Hare. Tennis has taken him across the globe. After completing his leaving cert Conor moved to the United States attending the University of Tennessee for one year before transferring to the University of Memphis. Following graduation he turned professional and over the last year and a half has been chasing his dream across the world. With plenty of challenges along the way he experienced a number of triumphs this summer including winning the Irish open and finding success in the Irish Challenger event in Dublin. Conor shares the realities of being a professional tennis player, his journey to date, his hectic travel schedule, his approach in 2026, the impact of the Irish open win and more. He also shares his thoughts and interest in stoicism and how he is taking a fresh approach to his career ignoring rankings and focusing on the moment in front of him which has led to success already. We also have an in depth quotes discussion during the Sideline Seven. Follow Conor here https://www.instagram.com/conorgannon__/ This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a brand-new event taking place at the Sport Ireland Campus on April 21st and 22nd, 2027. Designed to connect stakeholders from every corner of the Irish sporting landscape. Attendees will hear from leading voices in sport, take part in interactive workshops and masterclasses, explore the latest developments in elite performance, business and technology. Whether you’re involved in elite performance, grassroots, business, or simply passionate about where Irish sport is heading, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sport Expo Ireland ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is set to become one of the most exciting gatherings on the sporting calendar. To learn more, register your interest, and explore opportunities, visit ⁠⁠https://qrco.de/bgrRu3 ⁠⁠. Limited time offer use the code SIDELINE15 for a discount off your ⁠⁠⁠⁠@sportexpoireland⁠⁠⁠⁠ tickets.

On episode 253 I am delighted to be joined by former mayo footballer and now CEO of the GPA Tom Parsons. Tom is known for his time playing with Mayo, including a long road to recovery following a freak accident where he dislocated his knee, ruptured and tore multiple ligaments and strctures in the joint. Despite this and thanks to a tweet he shared while on morphine in hospital he returned to play football for Mayo. His TG4 Laochra Gael is an inspiring programe and worth a watch for all in particular athletes recovering from serious injury and a prevalent topic of this interview. Tom has been on my list to speak with since the start of the podcast as he shares his story and experience from injury, road to recovery, athlete identity, resilience and advice for athletes and those around them. Tom also shares the importance of filling your life with more than just sport, how being dropped from Mayo reshaped his outlook as a player, the 9 boxes to define balance, his career pathway and more. This is a honest and fascinating chat with a deep thinker and a gentleman. Tom thanks for your time and insights! Please note this episode was recorded in August.

On episode 252 I am thrilled to be joined NBA Golden State Warriors assistant coach Ron Adams With 5 decades of NBA experience, Adams has worked alongside some of the game’s greatest coaches and players, helping shape championship-caliber teams and elite defenses along the way. There was so much to unpack with Ron this convention could have continued for hours. We discussed: ​What separates the best from the rest ​Steph, KD, Draymond Green ​Lessons from sport & coaching ​Coaching defence, philosophy & motivation ​Warriors winning formula ​The importance of team connection ​What it takes to win an NBA championship

On episode 251 I am delighted to be joined by Michael Darragh Macauley, one of the defining figures of Dublin’s golden era. The Ballyboden St Enda’s man won an incredible eight All-Ireland titles, alongside 10 Leinster titles and five National Football League medals. He was a two-time All Star and was named GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year in 2013 after a standout season with Dublin. Known for his explosive, aggressive style and fiercely competitive personality, he became a central character in one of the most dominant teams in Gaelic football. After retiring from inter-county football in 2021, Michael Darragh has continued to build a career focused on community, fitness, media and making an impact beyond sport. In this episode we go back to the serious knee injury at 20 that threatened to end his football career before it had truly begun.Michael Darragh explains how rejection from the Dublin panel, a summer playing football in San Francisco and rediscovering his love for the game changed his trajectory.We explore the culture inside the Dublin dressing room and the mentality that helped them claim 6 All-Ireland titles in a row. He shares what he learned from Pat Gilroy’s management style and why internal competition was such a crucial part of Dublin’s success.We discuss the major defeats that shaped the team and how Dublin turned painful losses into lessons that fuelled their dominance. Michael Darragh opens up about the death of his father in 2013 and how that difficult period influenced his Footballer of the Year season. We explore his identity away from the traditional image of a professional athlete, from basketball and hip-hop influences to maintaining a life outside football. Finally, we discuss retirement, finding purpose beyond elite sport, community work, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. Note this was recorded in late July.

On episode 250 I am delighted to be joined by Paul Talty, a highly experienced Strength & Conditioning coach who has worked across elite sport in particular swimming and gaelic games, helping athletes maximise performance. We compare the worlds of Olympic sport and GAA, exploring the differences in structure, preparation, pillars of success, self care in coaching and more. We explore the principles that underpin elite coaching across Olympic sport and GAA, from the importance of consistency to the small details that can make the difference on the biggest stage. Having spent years working alongside elite athletes, Paul has gained a unique insight into what separates talented players from those who consistently perform when it matters most with key pillars include consistency, preparation and creating the habits required to perform at the highest level.Paul takes us behind the scenes of Paris 2024 and how careful preparation, from managing the Olympic environment to creating familiar routines, helped athletes perform under pressure and win multiple olympic medals. From managing pressure and big moments with different individuals across the games, including Daniel Wiffen’s approach to learning vs winning. Paul shares his “Golden Rule” of performance: showing up every day, building good habits and avoiding the things that compromise consistency.We also down the three pillars of great coaching — technical knowledge, application and interpersonal skills — and why building trust with athletes is just as important as the programme itself. Paul shares his thoughts on self-care in coaching, sleep, exercise, managing workload and continuing to develop as a practitioner.Ultimately, this is a conversation about the small things that compound over time — and why consistency, preparation and people remain the key ingredients of elite performance.