Top sports psychologist fears impact of ‘unqualified’ advice

One of the country’s top sports psychologists has claimed intercounty GAA players and other elite Irish athletes are receiving advice on mental preparation from unqualified people.

Nollaig O’Sullivan, who is accredited by the Irish Institute of Sport, is concerned that many of those dispensing advice to sports people may have “no background in psychology.”

And O’Sullivan feels that the lack of expertise could do long-term damage. “That’s the only fear that I have. That you have people who will do a Masters in sports psychology but they have no background in psychology.