Dr Ciaran Kearney
Dr Ciarán Kearney is an independent applied psychologist specialising in performance improvement, accountability, team culture and mental health. Since graduating from Ulster University in 1997 with a First Class Honours in Applied Psychology, he has gained postgraduate qualifications in Counselling and Group Work, an MSc. in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, and a PhD on Performance Accountability and Culture Change. He has peer reviewed publications in mental health and adult learning and his book Pure Sport: Sport Psychology in Action, which he recently co-authored with two eminent psychologists, has been listed as one of the top sport science books of 2020.
For several years, Ciarán has lectured part-time at both St Mary's University College Belfast and Ulster University and he is currently Programme Co-ordinator with Gaelfast. He has extensive professional experience across a range of sectors including community development, government and sport. He has Level 2 coach awards from both UK athletics and the GAA and won provincial and all-Ireland honours at underage for his college and county.
Of special relevance to tonight's webinar, Ciarán has substantial experience in providing sport psychology support in Gaelic football and hurling at club, college and county level. He has helped Tyrone champions Trillick, Down champions Kilcoo, and title winning hurling teams in Rossa and Dunloy. At inter-county level, he has provided support to Derry from 2013-2105, Monaghan in 2018, and from 2019 has been with Down Senior Footballers. He also provides psychological support to St Mary's University College Belfast who won the Sigerson Cup in 2017 for the first time in 28 years, beating favourites UCD.
Ciarán is currently completing his final stage of supervision to become a Chartered Psychologist in Sport & Exercise.