Setanta College

Setanta College is a distance learning college, with a specialisation in sports courses. It offers internationally recognised undergraduate qualifications, ranging from Higher Certificate to Bachelor's Degree which are accredited by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC).^[2] The college is primarily web-based, but also offers the traditional campus-based programme in conjunction with LIT Tipperary^[3] The courses are delivered by highly experienced tutors, who have been involved in coaching and participating in sport to the highest level.^[4] Setanta College operates an open entry policy, i.e. students' previous academic achievements are not taken into account for all the courses. The college attracts beginner and experienced coaches from a wide variety of sports and has also been extremely popular among top-level and professional sporting individuals.

History

Setanta College was founded by Dr. Liam Hennessy BA, MSc, PhD,FRAMI,^[5] a former international Pole Vault competitor and record holder.^[6] Dr. Hennessy is a world renowned Exercise Physiologist and Strength and conditioning coach who is highly published in scientific journals^[7][8] and has worked with some of the top athletes and teams in the world, including leading European soccer club teams in Italy,^[9] and Germany,^[10][11] the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU),^[12] the Irish Olympic Team,^[13][14] Tipperary GAA,^[15] and as Fitness coach to three time major golfer Padraig Harrington.^[16] Through his own work, Dr. Hennessy noticed a need for better qualified experts in the area of Strength & Conditioning, and for that reason, he endeavoured to provide a programme that would specialise in this area of expertise.

Qualifications

Setanta College offers courses ranging from short online courses through to Higher Certificate and Bachelor's Degree. These include:

• Strength and Conditioning Level 1 (in conjunction with the IRB)
• Technology in Sport
• Movement Skill and Fitness Development (Level 1: The Child)
• Certificate in Resistance Training & Weight Training for Sport (Minor Award at Level 6)^[17]
• Certificate in Physical Fitness and Conditioning for Sport (Level 6)^[18]
• Higher Certificate in Strength & Conditioning (Level 6)^[19]
• Bachelor of Arts in Strength & Conditioning (Level 7)^[20]
• Bachelor of Science in Strength & Conditioning (Level 8)^[21]

Courses from the Minor Award at Level 6 through to Degree Level are accredited by QQI/HETAC (Higher Education Training and Awards Council).^[22] Also, the degree modules are endorsed by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Other Courses

Setanta College has designed and operates/ facilitates courses for the Irish National Teachers' Organisation and the International Rugby Board. For the INTO Setanta College offers a summer course filled with fun co-operative mini games for the 8–12-year-old "Teaching Games in the Primary School".^[23] The Setanta College facilitated IRB Strength & Conditioning Level 1 course, is offered worldwide to Rugby coaches and Trainers online.^[24]

Education Partners

• Gaelic Players Association (GPA)^[25]
• Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO)^[26]
• LIT Tipperary^[27]
• International Rugby Board (IRB)^[28]
• Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)^[29]
• Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA)
• Irish Amateur Weightlifting Association (IAWLA)^[30]
• Titleist Performance Institute (TPI)^[31]
• The Irish Institute of Sport, a subsidiary of the Irish Sports Council, the state agency for sports development.
• Saracens F.C.
• Pádraig Harrington – Ambassador of the college
• Football Association of Ireland^[32]

Alumni

Many Setanta College graduates have been extremely notable sporting figures, with a growing trend of top level athletes and coaches studying at the Institute. Graduates include:

• Tommy Dunne – former Tipperary GAA hurling player and captain, All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winner 2001.
• Tommy Carr – former Dublin GAA Gaelic Football player and manager, also former football manager of Roscommon GAA and Cavan GAA.
• Mick Dempsey – former Laois GAA footballer and current member of management team for the all-conquering Kilkenny GAA hurling team.
• Declan Meehan – Former Galway GAA Gaelic Footballer, winner of 2 All-Ireland Senior Football Championships and 2 GAA GPA All Stars Awards.
• Johnny O'Connor – Irish International and Connacht Rugby player. Also previously played with London Wasps
• Nicholas Walsh – Former Cavan GAA Gaelic Footballer.^[33]
• Gavin Duffy – Irish International and Connacht Rugby Rugby Union player. Also previously played with Harlequins.^[34][35]
• Joe Gamble - Former Reading F.C. and Republic of Ireland international Soccer player.

Notable Current Students

• Derek Lyng – Kilkenny GAA Hurler and winner of 6 All-Irelands and 2 All-star award, current member of management team for Kilkenny GAA hurling team.
• Gillian Ryan – Irish Triathlete
• Liam Kearns – Former Limerick GAA and Laois GAA Gaelic Football manager
• Gavin O'Mahony – Limerick GAA Hurler.
• Enda Gormley – Former Derry GAA footballer, All-Ireland winner and 2 time All-star award recipient.
• Denis Leamy – Former Munster Rugby and Irish International rugby union player.
• Alan Quinlan – Former Munster Rugby and Irish International rugby union player.
• Robert Heffernan – Olympics race walker and current 50k World Champion

External links

• Official Website
• Facebook account
• Twitter account
• Blog

References