1. Full name
Enda Noel Conneely
2. Birthplace, and other places you have lived
Born and reared in Barna, Galway.
I spent five years studying and teaching in Edinburgh and three years in Dublin. I moved back to Galway in 2014.
3. When did you join GTC and why?
(Checks Strava) I joined in January 2024.
My football career ground to a halt in my twenties after multiple knee and ankle surgeries, and I got into cycling around that time. But I was looking for something new to motivate me.
I could barely swim, so I started in the beginners’ sessions and went from there. I also started track and absolutely loved the training.
I did the Tribesman that summer and completed my first 70.3 in Cascais, Portugal, in October 2025!
4. Occupation
English and History teacher.
5. Previous sports
Gaelic football, hurling and soccer.
6. Swim, bike, or run. Which do you prefer and why?
I have been cycling casually for about 15 years and really enjoy it.
Since taking up triathlon, I’ve really enjoyed progressing with my swimming and love the swim classes with Laura, Miriam and Patrick, despite the occasional brutality of the sessions!
Taking part in the Heskin League last year was great craic.
7. Favourite event, or favourite place to train
I did the Tribesman in 2024 and 2025 and absolutely loved both races.
We were blessed with the weather on both days, and it’s a beautiful, flat course with that very forgiving downriver swim for us novices!
I love to train in Dangan as well. The riverside, wooded setting is lovely and peaceful, and the gravel paths are easy on the ageing joints.
8. Sporting claim to fame
I was lucky enough to play Gaelic football for Galway at minor and U21 level.
9. Three music tracks that power your training sessions
I’m more of a podcast guy while training and like to listen to The Rest is History and Second Captains, but I also enjoy running and cycling without music or audio.
It’s one of the rare occasions these days when the brain gets a bit of quiet time.
10. Your all-time sporting hero, and why?
Probably Jarlath Fallon.
He was such a stylish, dynamic footballer and crucial to Galway’s All-Ireland victory in 1998. As a fellow citóg, I really admired his beautiful left foot too!
11. Your GTC hero, and why?
Very difficult to narrow it down.
I’ve had so many great coaches and training partners over the last couple of years, but I would have to go for Morgan McHugh and Jane Walsh.
Morgan gave me the nudge to get into triathlon and has been a great source of advice, encouragement and gear!
Likewise, Jane was a great training partner during my 70.3 build-up, always coming up with great sessions on the bike or on the Dangan trails.
Watching herself and her girls in the lane next to me on Friday morning swim sessions has been an inspiring and humbling experience!
Special mention for Trish Strelioff for all of her excellent advice and hands on help in Cascais for my 70.3
12. Name a song or film title that sums you up, or your approach to life
A lyric rather than a song title, but maybe, “I get knocked down, but I get up again”, after my run-in with a Land Rover a few years ago!
