Dr. Paula Carroll

Principal Researcher (PI):

Supervisor FC Studies:  Studies 1, 2, 3, 4A & 4B

My primary research area is community-based research in ‘real world’ settings in the area of men’s health promotion, policy and gender and health. I have a particular interest in scaling evidenced baed practice nationally for population benefit and have success in doing so in the Men on the Move programme (community-based PA for men) and Ireland’s national men’s health training programme, ENGAGE.  I have extensive experience of partnership working with government, community and voluntary agencies nationally and internationally. 

ORCID ID: 000-0001-8465-4535

PURE Profile: Dr. Paula Carroll

Research Gate:  Dr. Paula Carroll

Supervisor FC Studies:  Studies 3 & 4B

My research falls into two broad categories.   Studies undertaken in conjunction with University Hospital Waterford and UPMC Whitfield, considers the impact of exercise for clinical populations including prostate cancer, age-related frailty and elevated cardiovascular risk.  In terms of ageing, I have a specific interest in the ageing immune system and immune cell subsets that exert positive and negative influences on the processes that underlie ageing and vascular health.  Other studies including the Football-Cooperative Project and the national Men on the Move Project evaluation the implementation of community-based physical activity interventions tailored for men.  I led the SETU team that developed the national Competency, Qualification and Accreditation Framework for the Long-Term Conditions Exercise Instructor.  I am currently leading the SETU teams that is extending the national physical activity guidelines for chronic conditions and pregnancy and postpartum.  I am a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9046-7450

PURE Profile: Prof Michael Harrison

Prof Michael Harrison

Dr Tom Egan

Supervisor FC Studies:  Studies 1, 2 & 4B

I have a mix of research areas such as sustainable finance, risk management and health economics with a mix of methodologies being applied in these. Within the area of health economics, I have an interest in economic evaluation of health care programmes and was involved in the evaluation of Men on the Move and Mens Shed programmes and also in the application of the SROI methodology to Football Co-operative (Study 1).

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9263-5780

PURE Profile: Dr Tom Egan

Supervisor FC Studies:  Studies 2 & 4A

I am a mixed methods researcher with a background in health promotion and public health. My research is grounded in community-based health promotion initiatives, with a specific focus on strategies to engage socially disadvantaged populations. I have specific interest areas in men’s health, social inclusion, mental health and physical activity promotion. I am involved in a number of research projects that utilises Implementation Science methodologies to guide the evaluation and scale-up of effective interventions that promote health and wellbeing. 

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3731-9165

PURE Profile: Dr Aisling McGrath

Research Gate: Dr Aisling McGrath

Dr Aisling McGrath

Dr Laura Finnegan

Supervisor FC Studies:  Studies 2 & 4A

My research focus to-date has been on developing various football environments. This included conducting a PhD on the impact of organisational structures on talent development in Irish football. This work was impact-focused by identifying organisational relationships between key stakeholders with responsibility for the development of youth footballers. My research has also been internationally engaged, with a variety of football governing organisations (e.g., US Soccer, UEFA). 

I hold an in-depth understanding of football environments in a research, practical and governance capacity. I currently sit on the Board of Directors of the Football Association of Ireland. I have presented my work nationally and internationally, in a range of forums (e.g., academic conferences, UEFA Pro licences).  

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9715-5097

PURE Profile: Dr Laura Finnegan

Research Gate: Dr Laura Finnegan

Supervisor FC Studies:  Studies 1 & 4A

I am primarily a qualitative researcher, and my research interests include men’s health policy, gender/masculinities and health, mental health and suicide prevention in men, and health promotion targeted at ‘hard to reach’ population groups of men. Much of my research work therefore has been community-based with an applied focus and has supported the implementation of Ireland’s National Men’s Health Policy. I have presented at national and international conferences on men’s health and am a board member of the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland and a member of Global Action on Men’s Health

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2060-2338

PURE Profile: Dr Noel Richardson

Research Gate: Dr Noel Richardson

Dr Noel Richardson

Prof Peter Krustrup

Supervisor FC Studies:  Study 3 & Academic Advisor

I am Professor of Sport and Health Sciences at SDU and Chairman of the Football is Medicine platform. I have published 450 peer-reviewed scientific articles. I am a UEFA Pro-Licensed football coach and has worked as Assistant Coach for the Danish National Team, and Fitness Coach in the Danish Premier League. I have contributed to the development of the evidence-based football concepts “Football Fitness”, “11 for Health”, “FIT FIRST 10”, “FIT FIRST 20”, “FIT FIRST Teen”, “Football for the Heart”, “FC Prostate” and “Football Fitness After Breast Cancer”. 

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1461-9838

PURE Profile: Prof Peter Krustrup

Research Gate: Prof Peter Krustrup

Supervisor FC Studies:  Study 3

I am a quantitative researcher with a primary focus in Sport Science and Sports Medicine. 

My research has predominately focused on Injury prevention assessment, GPS and sporting performance. I have several publications in the area and several national and international conference presentations. 

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5949-2116

PURE Profile: Dr Eoin Everard

Research Gate: Dr Eoin Everard

Dr Eoin Everard

Dr Rory Sheppard

Postdoctoral Researcher:  Supervisor FC Studies:  Studies 4A & 4B

I’m a Sport & Exercise Scientist working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Men’s Health. I primarily work on the FC study which has at present three ongoing studies to develop an implementation strategy for scale up and to assess the Social Return on Investment and implementation factors when replicated. My research interests include any projects aligned to the modification of lifestyle factors and its impact on health and wellbeing outcomes in clinical, athletic, and healthy populations. I also have an interest in the use of wearable device, data management/science and quantitative research methodologies.

ORCID ID:  0000-0001-9571-8274

PURE Profile: Dr Rory Sheppard

Research Assistant:  Studies 4A & 4B

I currently contribute to the design and delivery of a mixed-method evaluation examining how Football Cooperative influences the health, fitness and wellbeing of men. My research thus far has focused on how sport and physical activity initiatives support mental health and wellbeing in community and place-based contexts. I have previously explored the mental health and mental illness experiences of GAA coaches and conducted an embedded study within a football initiative delivering social inclusion sessions for men from both local community and a mental health hospital.

ORCID ID:  0009-0008-7134-6072

PURE Profile: Dr Eoin King

Dr Eoin King

Dr Steve Daly

PhD Student:  Study 1, Co-supervisor Study 4B

Research Gate:  I am a mixed-methods researcher working in the areas of men’s health and Social Return on Investment (SROI). My PhD research was a feasibility study on scaling up a community-based football initiative. I have also conducted research on social and physical activity in older adults and mental health help-seeking stigma among horse racing trainers. I hold a degree in Psychology and an MSc in Applied Sports and Exercise psychology.  I am passionate about men’s health and promoting male health literacy and engagement.

Beyond my research, I work with athletes and teams at the club, national, and international levels as a Sports Psychologist. I am also an advocate for mature students and lifelong learning.

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7735-0234

PURE Profile:  N/A

PhD Student:  Study 2

I am a primarily qualitative researcher with a focus on implementation science, working to develop a strategy for scaling the FC initiative to multiple sites. My research at SETU engages with a broad range of stakeholders to inform the most effective strategies for expanding community-based physical activity interventions. This work contributes to the broader field of scaling up health interventions, ensuring they are adaptable, sustainable, and impactful across diverse settings.

Beyond my research, I hold the UEFA Elite Youth A Licence coaching qualification and currently coach the Ireland Amputee National Team. My work in football extends to inclusion and accessibility, ensuring that the game is open to all, particularly underrepresented groups. Drawing from both practical coaching experience and academic insights, I am committed to developing sustainable football environments that promote participation, health, and community connection.

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9368-7387

PURE Profile: N/A

Mr Chris McDermott

Ms Sarah Doherty

MSc Student:  Study 3

I am a quantitative researcher with a keen interest in GPS data for sports science. I have a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science from SETU. My research combines both a passion for football and sports science with the aim to help develop more research surrounding recreational football in Ireland.

ORCID ID: 0009-0006-0434-7863

PURE Profile: N/A

PhD Student:  Study 4A

A researcher and project manager specialising in sport management, public health, and social impact. I hold a Bachelor’s in Economics and an MSc in Sport Management. Currently, pursuing a PhD at SETU, focusing on the Football Cooperative project. With extensive experience in EU-funded projects, I worked on sport innovation, healthy lifestyles, and social inclusion, bridging research with real-world impact.

ORCID ID: 0009-0002-9584-2886

PURE Profile: N/A

Mr Panos Papageorgiou

Mr Chief Mdoe Ibrahim

PhD Student Study 4B

I am a researcher with a strong interest in participatory approaches to planning and community-led development initiatives. My work focuses on evaluating Infrastructure planning, delivery, and social impact ensuring development initiatives are inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.

Currently, my PhD research examines the efficacy of the Football Cooperative (FC) initiative when replicated at scale, employing the Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework to assess its impact and ensure fidelity of delivery and equitable benefit for participants when the FC initiative is rolled out nationally and internationally.

ORCID ID: 0009-0009-7354-3763

PURE Profile: N/A