Courses
Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC)
The ICRC focuses on mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) identification, assessment, education, long-term risks, recovery, workload and mitigation using objective tools and nutritional strategies.
The Irish Concussion Research Centre (ICRC) is dedicated to advancing the understanding, identification, and management of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Its core purpose is to improve safety, and long-term brain health through high-quality, multidisciplinary research which spans amateur and professional sport, tactical athletes and general populations. The ICRC aims to enhance early and accurate recognition of mTBI by evaluating and developing objective, evidence-based assessment tools which can be applied in real-world environments. A further key purpose is education: increasing awareness and knowledge of concussion among athletes, coaches, clinicians, and sporting organisations to promote best practice in prevention, recognition, and return-to-play decision-making.
The ICRC also focuses on understanding the short- and long-term consequences of repeated head impacts, including post-concussion symptomology and potential links to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), with consideration of sex-specific and workload-related risk factors. By examining recovery trajectories, the ICRC seeks to optimise rehabilitation through innovative approaches such as workload management, mitigation strategies, and nutritional interventions. Ultimately, the ICRC’s purpose is to translate scientific evidence into practical guidelines and policies which inform sport, healthcare, and public health, ensuring safer participation and improved outcomes for individuals affected by concussion and mTBI.
Publications
Daly, E. and Ryan, L.(2026) Beyond the Checklist: Are Gaelic Games’ Concussion Protocols Supporting Psychological Recovery https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18375605
Finnegan, E., Daly, E., Hunzinger, K., Ryan, L. (2026) Gut-Brain Impact in Sport-Related Concussion. Nutrients https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18060914
Gavin, K., Ryan, L., Daly, E. (2026) On Different Sides of the Ruck? Exploring Stakeholder Perceptions of Female Rugby Talent Development Environments. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541261436711
Ryan, T., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2026) Understanding the behavioural determinants of nutrition practices in ultra-endurance runners in Ireland. Sports https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14030109
Ariachi, S., Daly, E., Dwivedi, A., Ryan, L. (2025) Sex Differences in Severity and Recovery Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review. Brain Sciences
Wittmer, R., Buckley, T., Swanik, B., Costantini, K., Ryan, L., Daly, E.; King, R., Daniels, A., Hunzinger, K. (2025) Unrecognized and Unreported Concussions Among Community Rugby Players. Sports https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13080278
Finnegan, E., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2025) Contrasting Realities in Injury Management: Strategies Employed by Performance Nutritionists and Dietitians in Ireland [Part A]. Current Developments in Nutrition https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107507
Canavan, L., Ryan, L., Mc Cann, M., Daly, E. (2025) Emerging technologies for injury identification in sports settings, a systematic review. Applied Sciences https://doi.org/10.3390/app15147874
Daly, E. and Ryan, L.(2025) A qualitative analysis of existing concussion return to play protocols and psychological recovery management in Gaelic games. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541241289983
L. Ryan, Daly, E. and Hunzinger, K. (2024) Factors Affecting Sport-Related Concussion Non-Disclosure in Women’s Rugby—A Multi-Country Qualitative Analysis Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040277
Daly, E. and Ryan, L.(2024) Athlete perspectives on concussion recognition and management in Gaelic games: A qualitative analysis Healthcare https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12191974
Daly, E. and Ryan, L.(2024) Concussion management and concussion recovery in Gaelic games : A qualitative analysis. Frontiers https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1470358
Costello, D., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2024) Sports Injury Surveillance Systems: A scoping review of practice and methodologies Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040177
Walshe, A., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2024) Clinical Utility of Ocular Assessments in Sport-Related Concussion: A Scoping Review Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9030157
Ryan, T., Ryan, L., Daly, E.(2024) Concussion in parasport: updates to current practices since the Concussion in Para Sport (CIPS) Group statement (2021) Healthcare https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12161562
Walshe, A., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2024) A qualitative exploration of perceived challenges and opportunities in the implementation of injury prevention and management in amateur female sport Frontiers https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1430287
Conaghan, C., Daly, E., Ryan, L (2024) Reflexive thematic analysis of interviews with post-primary educators’ experience and attitudes towards concussion. Psychology in the Schools http://doi:10.1002/pits.23257
Walshe, A., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2024) An assessment of existing sport-related concussion guidelines in Ireland; the need for a united approach. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9020101
Ryan, T., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2024) Carbohydrate beliefs and practices of ultra-endurance runners in Ireland for gastrointestinal symptom management. Frontiers in Nutrition https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1408101
Walshe, A., Daly, E., Pearce, A.J., Ryan, L. (2024) In-season test-retest reliability of visual smooth-pursuit (EyeGuide Focus) baseline assessment in female and male field-sport athletes. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9010046
Finnegan, E., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2024) Nutritional Considerations of Irish Performance Dietitians and Nutritionists in Concussion Injury Management Nutrients https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16040497
Ryan, T., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2023) Exploring the Nutrition Strategies Employed by Ultra-Endurance Athletes to Alleviate Exercise-Induced Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Systematic Review Nutrients https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15204330
Ryan, T., Nagle, S., Daly, E., Pearce, AJ., Ryan, L. (2023) A Potential Role Exists for Nutritional Interventions in the Chronic Phase of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Concussion and Sports-related Concussion: A Systematic Review. Nutrients https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173726
Walshe, A.’ Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2023) Existence ≠ adherence. Exploring barriers to best practice in sports-related concussion return to play (SRC-RTP) in Irish amateur female sport. Physical Therapy in Sport https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2023.06.004
Pearce, AJP, Daly, E., Ryan, L., King, D. (2023) Reliability of a smooth pursuit eye-tracking system (Eye Guide Focus) in healthy adolescent and adults Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8020083
Ryan, L., Daly, E., Blackett, A. (2023) Sport-related concussion disclosure in women’s rugby – A social identity approach. Frontiers https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1058305
Daly, E., Pearce, AJP., Esser, P., Ryan, L. (2022) Evaluating the relationship between neurological function, neuromuscular fatigue and subjective performance measures in professional rugby players. Frontiers https://doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.1058326
Conaghan, C., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2022) Athlete attitudes suggest we should listen to our elders, A study of concussion attitudes and knowledge in Ireland. The Journal of Sport and Exercise Science
Daly, E., Blackett, AD., Pearce, AJP., Ryan, L. (2022) Protect the player, protect the game; a qualitative analysis of interviews with ex-professional rugby union players Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk7040091
Finnegan, E., Daly, E., Pearce, A.J., Ryan, L. (2022) Nutritional interventions to support acute mTBI recovery: A Systematic Review Frontiers in Nutrition, Nutrition and Metabolism https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.977728
Walshe, A., Daly, E., Ryan, L. (2022) Epidemiology of Sport-Related Concussion Rates in Female Contact/Collision Sport: A Systematic Review BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001346
Daly; E, Pearce; AJ, Finnegan; E, Cooney; C, McDonagh; M, Scully; G, McCann; M, Doherty; R, White; A, Phelan; S, Howarth; N, Ryan, L (2022) An assessment of current concussion identification and diagnosis methods in sports settings. A systematic review BMC Sports Science, Medicine & Rehabilitation https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-022-00514-1
Daly, E., Esser. P, Griffin., A., Costelloe, D., Servis, J., Gallagher, D., Ryan, L., (2022) Using Inertial Measurement Units to improve tackle technique proficiency in youth rugby players, a proof-of-concept Sensors https://doi.org/10.3390/s22093315
Nagle, S., Pearce, A. J., Daly, E., & Ryan, L. (2022). Nutrition interventions in the chronic phase of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): a systematic review. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 81(OCE4), E119.
Conaghan, C., Daly, E., Ryan, L, Pearce, A., (2022) An accessible concussion educational tool that improves athlete, coach and parent knowledge and attitudes Austin Sports Medicine
Daly, E., Pearce, AJ., Blackett, A., Ryan, L., (2022) Injury as an occupational hazard in professional rugby union: A qualitative analysis of interviews with ex-professional rugby players The Journal of Sport and Exercise Science https://doi.org/10.36905/jses.2022.01.04
Daly, E., AJ., White, A., Blackett, A., Ryan, L., (2021) Pressure. A Qualitative Analysis of the Perception of Concussion and Injury Risk in Retired Professional Rugby Players Journal of Morphology & Kinesiology https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk6030078
Patch, C., Hill Yardin, E., Lewis, M., Ryan, L., Daly, E., Pearce, A., (2021) The more, the better: high dose Omega-3 fatty acids improve behavioural and molecular outcomes in preclinical models in mild brain injury. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports (Impact factor 4.37) https://doi:10.1007/s11910-021-01132-z
Clarke, A., Middleton, K., Daly, E., Ryan, L., Carey, D., Pearce, AJ., (2021) Is athletic performance affected following concussion? A systematic review and metanalyses of literature The Journal of Sport and Exercise Science https://doi.org/10.36905/jses.2021.03.02
Daly, E., Pearce, A.J. and Ryan, L. (2021). A systematic review of strength and conditioning protocols for improving neck strength and reducing concussion incidence and impact injury
risk in collision sports; is there evidence? Journal of Morphology & Kinesiology. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk6010008
Conaghan, C., Daly, E., Pearce, A.J., King, D. and Ryan, L. (2020). A systematic review of the effects of educational interventions on knowledge and attitudes towards concussion for people involved in sport – optimising concussion education based on current literature. Journal of Sports Science https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1835223
Pearce, A.J., Daly, E., Ryan, L., Hill, E. and Patch, C. (2020). Long chain omega-3 fatty acid intervention in ageing adults at risk of dementia following repeated head trauma. Low-level support or an opportunity for an unanswered question? The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease. https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2020.49
Daly, E. & Ryan, L. Acute chronic workload ratio and concussion risk in elite rugby players (2017) Journal of Physical Education and Sport https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0144
Affiliated Staff Members
Dr Lisa Ryan (Principal Investigator)
PURE Profile – Lisa Ryan – Atlantic Technological University
Dr Ed Daly (Principal Investigator)
PURE Profile – Ed Daly – Atlantic Technological University
Maria McDonagh
PURE Profile – Maria McDonagh – Atlantic Technological University
Dr Caomhan Conaghan
Dr Ciara Goland
Dr Tansy Ryan
Post Graduate Researchers
Emma Finnegan
Shanika Arachchi
Luke Canavan
Rachel Moloney
Alex Morgan
Damien Costello