Acclaimed sports consultant Fergus Connolly has helped some of the biggest names in sport, but as Brendan Crossan finds out, he seldom courts the spotlight...
FERGUS Connolly is a reluctant interviewee. The 31-year-old sports performance consultant normally doesn't give interviews or pose for photographs.
A mutual friend put him up to the idea of allowing the Irish News to shine a light on some of his work with Nicolas Anelka, Gavin Henson, Bernard Dunne Derry's gaelic footballers,
In the past, the publicity-shy Scotstown native has turned down several requests to be interviewed by this newspaper.
After 40 minutes of conversation you have a clear understanding of the former schoolteacher's philosophy.
It's not the Fergus Connolly show.
It's not Fergus Connolly who climbs into the boxing ring. It's not Fergus Connolly who scores goals in the English Premiership. It's not Fergus Connolly who plays centre for Wales.
For Connolly, it's all about the athlete, not the so-called 'sports guru' who emerges from the shadows every now and then to feast on a slice of the adulation.
Neither does Connolly want to be an intriguing mystery. There are some people who are more comfortable in the background.
Imagine for a moment the profile he'd undoubtedly receive if he was more PR savvy. Even so, Connolly's work alone is making its own way in the world of top level sport.
Connolly made a huge impression on the Derry footballers last season after being ecommended by trainer John McCloskey.
Ask Paddy and Eoin Bradley, Conleith Gilligan, Kevin McCloy or Joe Diver their opinion of the
low-profile Connolly and each of them will provide glowing appraisals of his work.
"I went to Derry to try to make athletes better athletes," he says.
"I did a lot of work with the likes of Paddy and Eoin Bradley, Conleith Gilligan, Kevin McCloy and Joe Diver, but I don't make them better footballers.
"For instance, Joe Diver is a phenomenal athlete. Outstanding. So too is Paddy Bradley.
"If Derry get things right there's no reason why they shouldn't win something because they have so much talent."
He was recently appointed to the Welsh Rugby Football Union as their sports science co-ordinator.