Royals take leap of faith with McDonagh appointment
October 31, 2014
Ciaran McDonagh in action. INPHO
Meath football manager Mick O'Dowd has added Irish long jump record holder Ciaran McDonagh to his backroom team.
The Athboy native, son of well known local referee Michael 'Styler' McDonagh, is the only Irish athlete to have jumped over eight metres, runs a physical therapy practice in Lucan. As well as having treated some of the world's top athletes, he has worked with a number of club sides in Dublin.
"It's an honour to be involved with your own county," McDonagh is quoted in the Irish Examiner.
"It will be a challenge working with a team as a lot of the time I'm used to working with individuals and I'm looking forward to it."
He added: "I've experience doing a little bit of coaching if there's guys that need a hand with a bit of speed work and a bit of strength work so I'm bringing a couple of different things to the table.
"Obviously you're looking at lads who are breaking down, you're looking to get them on to the pitch as soon as possible."
