Physiotherapy at UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic

Kalen O Donoghue is a Senior Physiotherapist and has been working at the sports surgery clinic for 3 years now. He is a CORU registered physiotherapist and holds a Bsc degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Limerick. Kalen has a broad clinical interest and treats a variety of musculoskeletal injuries including upper limb, lower limb and spinal injuries. He works with multiple population groups from elite athletes to elderly groups and treats them all with the same degree of care.

Kalen has also worked across numerous other roles outside of SSC such as private practice clinics and with both inter-county and recreational sports teams. He has a keen interest in sports physiotherapy and currently works the Cavan Senior Football men’s team and Dublin Senior Camogie. His background is in Gaelic games and he has previously represented Cork football at underage levels.

Katie joined the Sports Surgery Clinic in 2018 and has over ten years’ experience working in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Her clinical interests include spinal pain and persistent pain. She is passionate about the role of exercise, especially resistance training, and the positive effect it can have on an individual’s health.

Katie was awarded a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from UCD in 2011 and subsequently started working in private practice, mainly working with patients with acute and persistent spinal pain. She moved to London to complete a masters in Advanced Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy from the prestigious King’s College London. It was here that she gained deeper understanding of pain mechanisms and advanced clinical reasoning skills as well as enjoying the city!

She undertook specialist physiotherapy roles in the NHS for three years, and put the knowledge gained in King’s into practice. She carried a varied caseload and worked with patients competing in high level sport, recreational athletes as well as those struggling with persistent pain. She maintained a link with King’s and subsequently supervised and examined masters’ students on placement. The opportunity arose in 2018 to combine her interest in spinal pain with research and she moved back to her native Dublin to start work in the Sports Surgery Clinic, where she combines clinical work with PhD.

Katie is interested in learning the effect of resistance training or the musculoskeletal system, quality of life of patients with persistent low back pain. Katie has always enjoyed working as part of a team; she has developed strong working relationships with her colleagues in SSC including Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Consultants, which enables clear communication and facilitates easy onward referral if required.

Colm Fuller is an experienced CORU-registered chartered physiotherapist with a focus on musculoskeletal physiotherapy, and is currently the Head of Physiotherapy at the UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic. He is in his final year of his PhD in Medicine from the University College Cork, with a research focus on concussion management, and has extensive experience in sports medicine and orthopaedics.

Colm has a proven track record in collaborating with colleagues and providing scientifically led support to healthcare professionals, and has also established himself as a leader in the field through his research and involvement in various professional associations. He is skilled in strategic planning, clinical practice, teaching and mentoring, and financial management, among other competencies.

Colm is also an effective communicator, regularly presenting his expertise and research findings at medical and scientific events, and has authored numerous publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

Vanessa O’Connor is a highly skilled and knowledgeable physiotherapist who plays an integral role in the Sports Medicine department at SSC. She completed her BSc in Physiotherapy at Trinity College Dublin and is a current member of the ISCP.

Since joining SSC in 2020, Vanessa has gained valuable experience in elective orthopaedic inpatient and post-operative care, as well as in the management of a variety of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Vanessa has a particular interest in lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, and her expertise in this area is highly valued by both her colleagues and her patients. She is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in her field, and is currently working towards her strength and conditioning accreditation with the UKSCA. Vanessa is a compassionate and empathetic practitioner, who is deeply committed to helping her patients achieve their goals and return to optimal health and function.

Also known in the clinic as ‘T’, is a clinical specialist physiotherapist in SSC Sports Medicine. Thilina’s experience encompasses treating a broad range of sports and orthopaedic injuries. However, he predominantly focuses on lower limb rehabilitation with an interest in knee rehabilitation. He is CORU registered and a chartered physiotherapist with the ISCP.

Thilina also holds the title of APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist with the Australian Physiotherapists Association.Thilina is currently completing his PhD into sensorimotor dysfunction following ACL reconstruction. He also holds a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy (University of Queensland) and a Masters in High Performance Sport (Australian Catholic University), alongside his BSc of Physiotherapy (University of Sydney).

Thilina has more than 12 years of experience working with recreational, Olympic and elite athletes from various sports: GAA, rugby, cricket, Aussie rules, netball and athletics. He is a level 1 strength and conditioning coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association and is currently completing his level 2 accreditation.Outside of the clinic, Thilina works with the Senior Mens Monaghan Football Team.

Risteard is a senior physiotherapist who has worked at the SSC Sports Medicine Department for 8 years and is currently the lead clinician in the shoulder stream. Risteard is currently completing his Masters in Sports Physiotherapy from the University of Bath, and he holds degrees in Physiotherapy and Health & Performance science from University College Dublin.

Risteard specialises in shoulder and upper limb rehabilitation. He also has a wealth of experience treating all musculoskeletal injuries in recreational, elite, and professional athletes in rugby, Gaelic football, hurling, horse racing, weightlifting, and athletics

Risteard has a broad array of experience outside of his role at the SSC through his work as the lead physiotherapist with the Dublin Senior Hurling Team, Cavan Men’s Senior Gaelic Football Team, Terenure College Schools Senior Cup Rugby Team, and the popular TV show Ireland’s Fittest Family.As a former Irish U18, U19, U20 and Club Rugby International player, Risteard is keenly interested in high performance sport.

Risteard holds an accreditation as a Strength and Conditioning Coach with the UK Strength & Conditioning Association. Risteard has previously been involved in research that profiled Irish adolescent rugby union players which was published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Rachael Fleming is a valued member of the SSC Sports Medicine team. She graduated with a BSc. in Physiotherapy from Trinity College Dublin and is ISCP registered. Rachael began her career as a Staff Grade Physiotherapist in Tallaght University Hospital, working with a diverse caseload of medical and orthopaedic patients.

Since joining SSC in 2021, Rachael has gained valuable experience in elective orthopaedic inpatient and post-operative care, as well as in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.

In addition, Rachael has worked with GAA teams at both club and inter-county level, bringing her expertise and passion for sports physiotherapy to the field.

Liam works as a senior physiotherapist here in the SSC Sports Medicine department. He completed his undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy in the University of Ulster before completing a master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Liam has vast experience across both the public and private sectors. Having completed his medical rotations within the HSE Liam worked as a senior physiotherapist in acute medical rehabilitation and outpatient musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

Liam has a keen interest in hip and groin injuries and is a PhD candidate in the area of hamstring injuries. He plays Gaelic football with his home club Curraha and was the lead physiotherapist with the Meath senior football team for a number of years. He has worked across an array of different sports and teams across the AFL, GAA, IRFU and League Of Ireland.

David is a Senior Physiotherapist at SSC Sports Medicine who works primarily across the lower limb rehabilitation streams with a special interest in Foot & Ankle rehabilitation. He enjoys treating complex post-operative and chronic ankle injuries.He is currently completing his PhD in return to sport following Achilles Tendon repair through the University of Roehampton. David also holds a Masters in Sports Injury Rehabilitation from the University of Salford, in addition to his BSc in Physiotherapy from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

David has a history of working in professional sporting environments having spent a number of years living in the UK where he worked with Premier League football clubs: Wolves & Burnley FC. This experienced has allowed David to develop his skills in rehabilitation from the acute injury phase to end stage return to play phase.

Currently outside of the clinic, David works with Hockey Ireland as a physiotherapist across a number of their international squads. He is a keen hockey player himself, currently playing at senior club level and previously having played at underage international level for Ireland. is interested in learning the effect of resistance training or the musculoskeletal system, quality of life of patients with persistent low back pain. Katie has always enjoyed working as part of a team; she has developed strong working relationships with her colleagues in SSC including Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Consultants, which enables clear communication and facilitates easy onward referral if required.

Colm Fuller is an experienced CORU-registered chartered physiotherapist with a focus on musculoskeletal physiotherapy, and is currently the Head of Physiotherapy at the UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic. He is in his final year of his PhD in Medicine from the University College Cork, with a research focus on concussion management, and has extensive experience in sports medicine and orthopaedics.

Colm has a proven track record in collaborating with colleagues and providing scientifically led support to healthcare professionals, and has also established himself as a leader in the field through his research and involvement in various professional associations. He is skilled in strategic planning, clinical practice, teaching and mentoring, and financial management, among other competencies.

Colm is also an effective communicator, regularly presenting his expertise and research findings at medical and scientific events, and has authored numerous publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

Vanessa O’Connor is a highly skilled and knowledgeable physiotherapist who plays an integral role in the Sports Medicine department at SSC. She completed her BSc in Physiotherapy at Trinity College Dublin and is a current member of the ISCP.

Since joining SSC in 2020, Vanessa has gained valuable experience in elective orthopaedic inpatient and post-operative care, as well as in the management of a variety of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Vanessa has a particular interest in lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, and her expertise in this area is highly valued by both her colleagues and her patients. She is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in her field, and is currently working towards her strength and conditioning accreditation with the UKSCA. Vanessa is a compassionate and empathetic practitioner, who is deeply committed to helping her patients achieve their goals and return to optimal health and function.

Also known in the clinic as ‘T’, is a clinical specialist physiotherapist in SSC Sports Medicine. Thilina’s experience encompasses treating a broad range of sports and orthopaedic injuries. However, he predominantly focuses on lower limb rehabilitation with an interest in knee rehabilitation. He is CORU registered and a chartered physiotherapist with the ISCP.

Thilina also holds the title of APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist with the Australian Physiotherapists Association.Thilina is currently completing his PhD into sensorimotor dysfunction following ACL reconstruction. He also holds a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy (University of Queensland) and a Masters in High Performance Sport (Australian Catholic University), alongside his BSc of Physiotherapy (University of Sydney).

Thilina has more than 12 years of experience working with recreational, Olympic and elite athletes from various sports: GAA, rugby, cricket, Aussie rules, netball and athletics. He is a level 1 strength and conditioning coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association and is currently completing his level 2 accreditation.Outside of the clinic, Thilina works with the Senior Mens Monaghan Football Team.

Risteard is a senior physiotherapist who has worked at the SSC Sports Medicine Department for 8 years and is currently the lead clinician in the shoulder stream. Risteard is currently completing his Masters in Sports Physiotherapy from the University of Bath, and he holds degrees in Physiotherapy and Health & Performance science from University College Dublin.

Risteard specialises in shoulder and upper limb rehabilitation. He also has a wealth of experience treating all musculoskeletal injuries in recreational, elite, and professional athletes in rugby, Gaelic football, hurling, horse racing, weightlifting, and athletics

Risteard has a broad array of experience outside of his role at the SSC through his work as the lead physiotherapist with the Dublin Senior Hurling Team, Cavan Men’s Senior Gaelic Football Team, Terenure College Schools Senior Cup Rugby Team, and the popular TV show Ireland’s Fittest Family.As a former Irish U18, U19, U20 and Club Rugby International player, Risteard is keenly interested in high performance sport.

Risteard holds an accreditation as a Strength and Conditioning Coach with the UK Strength & Conditioning Association. Risteard has previously been involved in research that profiled Irish adolescent rugby union players which was published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Rachael Fleming is a valued member of the SSC Sports Medicine team. She graduated with a BSc. in Physiotherapy from Trinity College Dublin and is ISCP registered. Rachael began her career as a Staff Grade Physiotherapist in Tallaght University Hospital, working with a diverse caseload of medical and orthopaedic patients.

Since joining SSC in 2021, Rachael has gained valuable experience in elective orthopaedic inpatient and post-operative care, as well as in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.

In addition, Rachael has worked with GAA teams at both club and inter-county level, bringing her expertise and passion for sports physiotherapy to the field.

Liam works as a senior physiotherapist here in the SSC Sports Medicine department. He completed his undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy in the University of Ulster before completing a master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Liam has vast experience across both the public and private sectors. Having completed his medical rotations within the HSE Liam worked as a senior physiotherapist in acute medical rehabilitation and outpatient musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

Liam has a keen interest in hip and groin injuries and is a PhD candidate in the area of hamstring injuries. He plays Gaelic football with his home club Curraha and was the lead physiotherapist with the Meath senior football team for a number of years. He has worked across an array of different sports and teams across the AFL, GAA, IRFU and League Of Ireland.