Dr O’Donovan, MB BCh BaO, FFSEM, MFSEM (UK), MICGP, MCFP (Canada), MSc (SEM),Dip Sports Med (CASEM), LFOM
He graduated in medicine from University College Dublin and undertook specialist training in General Practice at the University of Limerick in 2012 followed by a Masters in Sports & Exercise medicine at Trinity College Dublin in 2013.
He then completed fellowship training at the UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic, Dublin and University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
He has a wealth of team experience working as team doctor for Irish international underage male and female teams including Irish soccer teams(U15-U19) and the Irish rugby U20 World Cup team in 2015. He was head of medical services in Munster Rugby 2015-2016 and was the lead doctor for Leinster Rugby 2016-2017. He was Irish team doctor for the 2015 European games in Azerbaijan as well as the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games 2016.
Jim has recently returned from the University of British Columbia where he was the doctor to the university sports teams across 25 different disciplines and he continues to work with a multitude of sports and athletes as they prepare for Tokyo 2020 through his role as Sports Physician at the Irish Institute of Sport.
As a member of the GAA Medical and Scientific Committee and GPA Medical Advisor, he has been involved in drawing up guidelines to deal with issues such as concussion and player welfare. He has previously been secretary of the FAI committee and a member of the medical committee of PRO14 Rugby.
Jim was an active sportsman who held a professional development contract with Leinster Rugby following completion of his initial medical training and also represented Limerick Gaelic Footballers at midfield from 2008 to 2013 going on to play in two Munster Finals and an All-Ireland Quarter Final.
He has published chapters in the renowned Brukner & Khan’s 2019 Sports Medicine Text and also Triathlon Medicine text. His current research topics include effects of running on cartilage and non-surgical management of knee osteoarthritis. He has a special interest in foot and ankle issues, tendons and stress fractures, promoting physical activity in all age groups and treating musculoskeletal conditions in adolescent and elderly populations. He performs joint and tendon injections using ultrasound guidance.
