The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric and physical fitness profiles of inter-county female Gaelic football players from under-14 to under-18 age levels. A total of 156 athletes (U14, n = 33; U16, n = 64; U18, n = 59) participated in this study. Testing was conducted in a single session for each group and included anthropometric measures of standing and sitting height, weight, estimated age of peak height velocity (PHV), and maturity offset. Physical performance tests included squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ), 0–5 m and 0–20 m sprint times, pro-agility test, medicine ball chest-pass throw, and YoYo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YoYoIR1). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate differences between the age groups. Significant differences were identified between age groups for measures of height (p < 0.001, ES = 0.127), body mass (p.002, ES = 0.076), and estimated age of PHV (p < 0.001, ES = 0.612). No significant differences were found between age groups for any of the physical fitness tests except for the YoYoIR1, where a significant difference was found between the U14 and U18 age groups (p.029, η2p = 0.048). These findings may assist coaches to better understand female athletic development, provide insight on talent identification and development programmes, and provide reference data when working with this cohort so that realistic and attainable training goals can be achieved.

Background: In team sports, physical attributes including strength, speed, agility, power, and endurance are important performance markers. However, their development is often entrusted to sports coaches, who may not have the specialised knowledge to optimise player development and reduce injury risk. Aims: To explore the current knowledge, practices, perceptions, and challenges facing inter-county coaches regarding physical preparation within a talent development context. Methods: Fifty-nine inter-county coaches completed an online survey comprising seven sections: informed consent; demographics; education and qualifications; current strength and conditioning (S&C) practices; recovery and monitoring strategies; coaches’ perspectives on athletic development; and barriers and facilitators. Fixed-response questions were analysed using frequency analysis. Pearson's chi-square ( χ ² ) tests determined if there was an association between the age grade coached and coaching experience, education, and qualifications. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to assess differences between age groups in current S&C practices. Content analysis was utilised to evaluate open-ended responses, revealing coaches’ current knowledge and beliefs about the benefits of implementing athletic development programmes at inter-county level. Results: No significant differences were found between age groups and years of inter-county coaching experience, NGB coaching or sport-related qualifications. Significant differences were identified between the age grades regarding the number of weekly gym sessions completed. Coaches identified several benefits of athletic development training to football performance. However, a significant cohort could not articulate these benefits. Conclusions: LGFA Coaches recognise the benefits of incorporating S&C practices for both performance and injury prevention. However, gaps in understanding, lack of expertise, and insufficient resources contribute to inconsistencies in practice.