Women's Hockey: Railway Union might not quite go so far as to describe him as their secret weapon, but if the club can maintain their challenge in the Leinster League this season, and even go on to win the first division title, they won't be slow to credit Armagh Gaelic footballer Enda McNulty for his contribution to the effort.
McNulty, as part of his work with his company Independent Leisure Solutions, worked with the Railway squad before last year's victory over Cork Harlequins in the club championship quarter-finals and, according to captain Ros Lynch, "made such an impact we asked him to come back again this season".
"He talked a lot about how we can professionalise our approach to the game, whether it be training, matches or personal and team preparation, trying to get everyone on the same wavelength," she said.
"Although the sports are totally different the demands are very similar, especially as both are amateur in status but not in approach.
"He spoke to us about how you fit the pressures of a hectic lifestyle in with an intense training regime and the thought and organisation that goes into it. And with teams sports it's vital everyone does it. He is so focused and passionate about his sport and his approach to it, it's contagious."
McNulty, who has also worked with St Mary's rugby club, held another session with the Railway squad recently as they prepared for tomorrow's key league meeting with leaders Hermes at Booterstown.
It is the first of three testing pre-Christmas games for Hermes - they must also play Pembroke Wanderers and UCD - while Railway, two points behind Hermes and Pembroke, will conclude the first half of their campaign with games against bottom-four clubs Three Rock and Clontarf.
Meanwhile, in Munster this weekend, the top two, Church of Ireland (15 points from five games) and Harlequins (12 points from four), meet at Garryduff. Neither side has dropped a point this season so something has to give.
C of I, under new coach Philip Oakley, are aiming to put an end to Harlequins' almost decade-long dominance of Munster hockey, and club captain Liz Kerr believes they are making significant progress in that direction.
"I feel the gap is closing and our progress so far this season is ahead of expectations," she said.
"Our long-term coaching policy is now reaping rewards, with quality, home-grown talent making the breakthrough into the first team.
"With players like Deirdre Casey, Karen Hales, Mel Ryan, Holly Moffett and our new 'signing', Sinead Connery, I think we have the depth and quality to push Harlequins all the way this season."
Weekend Fixtures
LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One: UCD v Three Rock, Belfield, 11.15; Pembroke Wanderers v Clontarf, Ballsbridge, 12.30; Hermes v Railway Union, Booterstown, 2.0; Loreto v Corinthian, Beaufort, 2.30.
MUNSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Church of Ireland v Cork Harlequins, Garryduff, 3.0; Bandon v UCC, Bandon, 1.0; Univ of Limerick v Catholic Institute, Limerick, 1.0; Belvedere v Ashton, Ballincollig, 1.0.
IRISH JUNIOR CUP - Second round: Our Lady's v Pembroke Wanderers II, Terenure, 2.30; Old Alexandra II v Priorians II, Milltown, 1.15; Banbridge v Diocesan, Havelock Park, 4.0; Greenisland v Lurgan, Carrickfergus, 2.30; Bray v Clontarf II, Loreto Bray, 12.30; Larne v Suttonians, Valley Leisure Centre, 4.0; Coleraine II v Glenanne, UUJ, 1.0; Pegasus II v Bandon II, Queen's, 2.30; Portadown II v Ashton II, Edenvilla Park, 2.30; Genesis v Victorians, Belfield, 4.0; Loreto II v Muckross, Beaufort, 12.45; NUIG v Catholic Institute, Dangan, 1.0; Fermoy v Waterford, Midleton College, 3.0; Cork Harlequins II v UCC II, Farmers Cross, 12.30; North Kildare v Wexford, King's Hospital, 1.15; Randalstown II v Hermes II, Antrim Forum, 4.0.
