GameSense Coaching

GameSense was born out of our involvement with Paul Kinnerk in the Limerick Football academy. Paul introduced us to his philosophy and over the past 7 years we have used games as the primary method in teaching skills and tactical awareness in Gaelic Football. Through our involvement with schools we have seen the same approach work just as well with hurling. During our time with the academy we have designed hundreds of games that cover a wide range of themes within the game and we want to make these games accessible in a simple, easy to use manner, so that every coach can see the benefit of using games in their training sessions.
Who We Are
Stephen Lavin has worked as a primary school teacher for twenty one years and is currently teaching principal in Scoil Naomh Iósaf in Adare, Co. Limerick. This is an all boys’ school, with a rich tradition of sporting excellence in hurling and football. Stephen played hurling and football at senior level for his club Adare and has won numerous county medals in both codes. He played U21 hurling for Limerick and was part of the U21 All Ireland winning panel of 2001. In addition, he is one of Limerick football’s most capped players, playing for thirteen years with the Limerick Senior Football team. This Limerick football team was one of the most successful football teams in the county ever reaching four Munster football finals and winning two National League titles. He also represented Munster in the Railway Cup, winning an inter-provincial medal in 2008. Stephen has coached extensively at school, club, university and county level over the last twenty one years. Under the stewardship of Paul Kinnerk, he has coached with the Limerick Football Academy since its inception seven years ago. In 2018, he coached the University of Limerick fresher football
team to an All-Ireland final. He served as the Limerick Minor Football coach in 2020 and is currently the Sigerson Cup Football Coach for the University of Limerick.

Peter Lavin has twenty year’s experience as a primary school teacher and is presently teaching
principal of Manister National School in County Limerick.
He played senior hurling and football with his club Adare, winning numerous county titles in both
codes. He is also a Munster U19 Schools Tennis Champion and Badminton Association of Ireland
Grade 1 Club Champion.
Peter is currently Chairperson of the IPPEA (Irish Primary PE Association) and coordinator of the
European School Sports Day for all primary schools in Ireland. He is also a PE facilitator with the
PDST (Professional Development Service for Teachers) and has delivered countrywide professional
development for primary teachers in physical literacy and fundamental movement skills (FMS)
through the “Move Well, Move Often” programme.
He has coached hurling and football at school and club level for the past twenty years and has been
a coach with the Limerick Football Academy since 2018.
David Lavin has worked as a primary school teacher in Catherine McAuley school in Limerick for
fourteen years. Having completed a Masters in Special Education, David works with children with a
mild general learning disability. He is an Assistant Principal postholder, with specific responsibility
for child protection, sport and wellbeing in the school.
He played senior hurling and football with his club Adare, winning numerous county titles in both
codes. He is also a Badminton Association of Ireland Grade 1 Club Champion.
David is a PE facilitator with the PDST (Professional Development Service for Teachers) and has
delivered countrywide professional development for primary teachers in physical literacy and
fundamental movement skills (FMS) through the “Move Well, Move Often” programme. He has coached many teams at school, club and county level and is currently video analyst for the Limerick Senior Football team. Under the stewardship of Paul Kinnerk, he has coached with the Limerick Football Academy since its inception seven years ago.