Alan Kelly

I have always tried to work with people who are considered the best at what they do. This is why I have been going to see AK for over ten years. His hands on approach to treatment and his support systems during rehab have ensured that I have spent more time on the field playing and less time on the sideline injured. It is often stated in sport 'that form is temporary but class is permanent'. Well the same can be said about AK, and he has been around long enough to prove that he has the class to back it up.

I first came across Alan Kelly on a Heineken Cup trip to Milan with Leinster ten years ago. I'd heard he was a top class sports physio through the AIL club scene with Old Wesley but it was Leinster players who regularly referred to him as The Great AK, and "his hands like magic". He's helped sort out my knee and is the physio I send my boys to, and I'd never hesitate recommending him to others.

Alan Kelly played a really important role in my football career and was one of the main reasons I was able to continue playing at the top level for so long, despite suffering a number of serious career-threatening injuries. I first started attending AK’s clinic shortly after being appointed captain of the Dublin senior football team in 1998. After the success of the initial rehab treatment with AK, I developed an enduring trust and a great respect for his work and I remained loyal to the clinic during every subsequent set-back up to this day. I would regularly rub shoulders with Ireland’s leading sportsmen in the clinic and I know several of my playing colleagues were frequent visitors to the Great AK and were always insistent that they would not have lined out in crucial games only for his healing hands. I am absolutely delighted to be able to endorse AK’s work at the clinic and would advise any sportsperson serious about their career, to seek his advice.

The great AK has been a close friend for several years now. In addition he has been a colleague in the area of sport performance for over 12 years now. Since our first meeting as support staff to the first group of professional Rugby players in Leinster in 1995 we have maintained regular contact even though working in different corners of the world at various times. During those very early days of Rugby professionalism AK was a man ahead of his time. His hands looked after many a player trying to bridge the gap between professionalism and the old amateur Rugby days. We were lucky that he was on hand to assist players like Brian O Driscoll, Denis Hickie, Shane Horgan to mention but a few whose careers were not in a small way helped along by AK. These were the young guns at Leinster in the late 1990’s and in the early years of this decade. Through our involvement with sport we were lucky to be acquainted with several other sports teams and individuals. As Fitness coach to Padraig Harrington I need to have a top class support structure available to assist when needed in the preparation and management of Padraig’s programme. AK has been a stalwart over the last 10 years in helping with Padraig’s prehab and rehab. In addition when I would be contacted by players and athletes from a variety of sports seeking help with an ‘old’ injury, there was never a doubt that the only one capable of understanding their needs was the AK. The great Tipperary players of yesteryear: Nicky English, Noel Sheehy, Conal Bonnar all made the pilgrimage to AK’s clinic while they were playing with Tipperary. Other players across the country soon began to hear about AK and it was no surprise that intercounty players from virtually every county in the country sought his assistance in their returning to play following injury. Throughout recent years AK has been ably assisting with Setanta College in the delivery of our sport performance course to coaches across the country. His experience, expertise and understanding are second to none and we are delighted that he makes himself available to deliver key elements of the sports coach course. In addition we have spent a number of years roadshowing with the GPA on Fitness for Gaelic Games. His inimitable presentation manner and his insight into the games are always an attraction for coaches. Having had the great honour of introducing AK to some of the greatest athletes and players of our country I am delighted to introduce him to you. The introduction for the athletes and players was always a memorable occasion. It will be likewise for you. Read the biographies of our top sport starts and you will see what I mean. AK always left an indelible impression on every one’s mind. Not only had he and still has healing hands but he also has skills that go way beyond others in his field. If I were ever to write a reference for the great AK I would struggle – not because I would have little to say – on the contrary words do not do the man justice. Those who meet him as I have said are inspired. He heals more that the physical trauma, he motivates, he is perceptive and he makes you feel damn good and confident. I wish him the very best with his new high tech website. However nothing high tech can compare to the one and only AK.