Supporting Athletes
Over the years he has worked as Head Doctor for Leinster Rugby and Munster Rugby, as well as with the GAA Medical & Scientific Committee and many other top sporting organisations in both Ireland, and Vancouver Canada, where he completed his fellowship.
Other highlights of his career have been working at two European Games and three Olympic Games; holding the privileged role of Chief Medical Officer for Team Ireland at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Bringing World Class Expertise to the Midlands
As Head of Medical Services at the Sport Ireland Institute, Dr O’Donovan continues to work regularly with Irelands top athletes. He works collaboratively with other International Olympic Sports Medicine Doctors, attending international conferences to keep up to date with the latest research and innovations in Sports Medicine.
Medical Training
Dr. O’Donovan graduated from University College Dublin School of Medicine in 2005. He continued his post graduate training in Dublin over the next few years, gaining experience in Emergency Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery and Medicine for the Elderly in The Mater Hospital (MMUH) and Tallaght Hospital (AMNCH). In 2008 he returned to his home county Limerick. During this time, he completed his General Practice training, whilst representing Co. Limerick playing Gaelic football.
International Experience
Following this he pursued his passion for Sports & Exercise Medicine. He completed a Masters at Trinity College Dublin in 2013. He worked with many sporting teams and gained lots of hands on experience. He completed fellowships in Sports Surgery Clinic Santry, Dublin, where he subsequently worked for several years, and also at The University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada.
During his fellowship in UBC Vancouver he was University Doctor for 26 different sports teams, including his role as Lead Physician for the Thunderbirds Ice hockey team. Whilst working at the world-renowned Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Clinic, he completed his training in ultrasound guided injections, which he continues to use in his practice today.
Insight into Effects of Injury and Pain
Dr O’Donovan is an accomplished sportsman himself. He took a year out from his medical career in 2006 to pursue a professional contract with Leinster Rugby. He also played Gaelic football for Limerick for a number of years , winning x2 league titles, playing in x2 Munster championship football finals and an All Ireland quarter final in 2012.
He is very insightful into the effect of any injury on athletic performance. His aim with MSK Ireland is to provide early assessments and timely interventions for high performance athletes.
Non-Sports Related Treatments
Dr. O’Donovan is highly skilled in treating general musculoskeletal issues and non-sports related injuries. With extensive experience in non-surgical treatments, he offers effective solutions for older patients experiencing mobility challenges and pain.
At MSK Ireland, we empower you to make informed decisions by discussing all available options for your care.
Personal Life
Dr. O’Donovan has strong links to the area through his wife Jean and is excited to re-locate his practice to the Midlands. He enjoys spending weekends outdoors with his family, enjoying the natural beauty of rural Westmeath.
MSK Ireland is proud to offer their expert multi-disciplinary team, in a convenient central location, with Mullingar being so accessible to patients from all over Ireland.
Qualifications & Experience
2005: Medicine MB BCh BAO, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
2012: Licentiate Faculty of Occupational Medicine, RCPI (LFOM)
2012: Membership Irish College of General Practitioners
2013: Masters in Sports & Exercise Medicine (MSc), Trinity College Dublin
2015: Fellowship of Faculty Sports & Exercise Medicine (FFSEM)
2016 – 2017: Fellow – Sports Medicine Department, Sports Surgery Clinic Santry, Dublin
2018: Fellowship of Sports & Exercise Medicine MCFP (SEM), The Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM)
2018: Membership of Faculty Sports & Exercise Medicine UK (MFSEM UK)
2017-2018: International Fellowship, Sports & Exercise Medicine Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
2018: Specialist Recognition Irish Medical Council for Sports & Exercise Medicine
Sports Leadership Roles
2012- 2016: Head of Medicine, Irish Sailing Olympic Team, and Medical Officer for Rio Olympic Games
2016: Head of Medicine, Munster Rugby, Limerick
2016- 2017: Lead Medical Doctor, Leinster Rugby, Dublin
2018 – Present: Chief Medical Officer, Team Ireland Olympic Team
(Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024)
2018 – Present: Head of Medical Service, Sport Ireland Institute
Sports Team Support
2013- 2016: Team Doctor, Paralympics Ireland Rio Cycle and Games
2013- 2014: Team Doctor, Irish Women’s Senior Soccer Team
2013 – 2014: Team Doctor, Irish Boys and Girls U15-19 Age Groups
2013-2015: Team Doctor, Leinster A’s and Development Squad
2015: Team Doctor, Ireland Men’s U20 Rugby World Cup, Italy
2015: Team Doctor, Team Ireland Olympic European Games, Baku, Azerbaijan
2016: Team Doctor, Team Ireland Olympic Games, Rio de Jaineiro, Brazil
Committees Roles
2015: Secretary, Medical Committee, Football Association of Ireland
2016 – 2021: Medical Advisor, Gaelic Players Association Medical Group
2020 – 2021: Expert Advisory Group, Return to Sport (COVID-19), Department of Health, Sport Ireland, GAA, IRFU, FAI
2016 – 2021: Member, GAA Medical, Scientific & Welfare Committee
2023 – Present: Physical Activity Pathway in Healthcare Model, Project Advisory Group, Health Service Executive
Guest Lecturer
2021- 2024: University College Dublin Masters in Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal health
2021- Present: Trinity College Dublin Sports & Exercise Medicine Masters
2022- Present: Royal College of Surgeons Musculoskeletal Injection Therapy
Academic Roles
2023 – 2024: Assistant Professor in Sports & Exercise Medicine, Dublin City University (DCU)
2019 – 2022: Faculty of Sports & Exercise Medicine National Training Programme Director
Book Chapters
- Treatment of Sports Injuries Brukner & Khan’s Clinical Sports Medicine: The Medicine of Exercise, 6th McGraw Hill; (2025) Friedman D, O’Donovan J
https://clinicalsportsmedicine.com/6th-edition - Airway Dysfunction in Elite Athletes. In: Migliorini, S. (eds) Triathlon Medicine. Springer. (2020).O’Donovan, J., Koehle, M., McKenzie, D.
- Brukner & Khan’s Clinical Sports Medicine: The Medicine of Exercise, Volume 2, 5e. McGraw Hill; (2019) O’Donovan, Blazey P, Cresswell S.
- Neurological Conditions. Brukner & Khan’s Clinical Sports Medicine: The Medicine of Exercise, Volume 2, 5e. McGraw Hill; (2019) O’Donovan J, Koehle M.
Publications
- Mason L, Connolly J, Devenney LE, Lacey K, O’Donovan J, Faulkner M, Doherty R. The Sleep, Recovery, and Nutrition Characteristics of Elite Adolescent Athletes. Sports (Basel). 2025 Feb 10;13(2):50.
- Mason L, Connolly J, Devenney LE, Lacey K, O’Donovan J, Doherty R. Sleep, Nutrition, and Injury Risk in Adolescent Athletes: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023 Dec 13;15(24):5101.
- Hayes V, O Donovan J. Women in Sports and Exercise Medicine: where are we now? Br J Sports Med. 2023 May;57(9):498-499
- Carolan D, Richter C, Thorborg K, Franklyn-Miller A, O’ Donovan J, McDonald C, King E. Hip and groin pain prevalence and prediction in Elite Gaelic Games: 2703 male athletes across two seasons. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2022 May;32(5):924-932.
- Khan MCM, O’Donovan J, Charlton JM, Roy JS, Hunt MA, Esculier JF. The Influence of Running on Lower Limb Cartilage: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2022 Jan;52(1):55-74.
- O’ Leary F, O’ Donovan J. Attitudes of elite athletes and their support staff to the influenza vaccine. Ir J Med Sci. 2021 Aug;190(3):1231-1236.
- Carter EA, Koch S, O’Donovan JP, Sheel AW, Milsom WK, Koehle MS. Perfusion of Intrapulmonary Arteriovenous Anastomoses Is Not Related to VO2maxin Hypoxia and Is Unchanged by Oral Sildenafil. High Alt Med Biol. 2019 Dec;20(4):399-406.
- Lennon P, O’Donovan JP, O’Donoghue S, Fenton JE. The otolaryngology, head and neck training appraisal questionnaire: a national general practice perspective. Ir J Med Sci. 2013 Dec;182(4):609-14.