Our Team

Could you introduce yourself?!

Hi, my name is Tríona Cleary. I’m from Annagh, Coolbawn, and I’m a Senior Grade Chartered Physiotherapist (CORU-Registered).

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What / where did you study?

I went to Puckane N.S. for primary school before heading to St. Mary’s in Nenagh for secondary.

 

After completing my Leaving Cert, I was over the moon to be offered a place in my dream course – the BSc. Physiotherapy programme at the University of Limerick. I thoroughly enjoyed the 4-year degree course and was honoured to come in First Place in my Physio Class for my Final Year Project, which related to hip and groin injuries in GAA players. 

After graduating, I worked as a Research Assistant in UL’s Health Sciences Department, co-authoring three published studies (the topics relating to exercise for older adults after hospitalisation, arts-based interventions for older adults, and the effects of dance on physical health and cognition in older adults). 

I also delivered lectures and tutorials in Anatomy to both Undergraduate and Master’s Physiotherapy students whilst at UL (covering areas like lower-limb injuries involving the hip, groin, and knee). 

Since leaving UL, I’ve completed additional training in Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine, Sports Taping & Massage, and the Physiotherapy Management of Parkinson's Disease.

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I also hold a White Belt Leadership in Healthcare certificate, IRFU Safe Rugby Level 2 First Aid certification, and a Diploma in Pilates (I've been fortunate to teach mat and postnatal classes in Dublin, as well as delivering Pilates based rehabilitation in private practice settings in Sydney, Australia).

Especially interested in the mind–body connection, I have also completed Psychology in Healthcare courses encompassing Cognitive Behavioural Theory, Neuroplasticity, Biofeedback, Mindfulness Techniques and Motivational Interviewing. 

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What kind of clinical experience do you have?
I started my clinical career in a busy Private Practice in London specialising in musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries, treating a wide range of athletes and active patients. 

After initially returning home to work as a Physiotherapist and Project Administrator on The Active Neuro Project (a government led initiative to help evaluate and transform community healthcare in Ireland), I later moved to University Hospital Galway.

 

After an enjoyable stint in Galway where I expanded my experience across musculoskeletal, neurology and respiratory specialties, I joined the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin. At the Mater, I completed emergency and on call physiotherapy training, treating people with acute spinal cord injuries and patients following heart and lung transplants (the Mater being the Centre of Excellence in Ireland for both).

I was promoted to Senior Physiotherapist for medical inpatient rehabilitation there where I was privileged to lead a great team consisting of six Junior Physiotherapists across seven wards and medical specialties.
 

After that I moved to Sydney, Australia, working in an Outpatient Hospital Department focused on MSK, post operative orthopaedic and neurological conditions. Whilst in Sydney, I also worked in a busy Private Practice treating sports and musculoskeletal injuries.

Closer to home, I have also worked directly with local Hurling teams, providing pitch side and clinic support for the likes of Kiladangan and Lorrha-Dorrha GAA Clubs, helping players with injury management, return to play programmes and targeted conditioning.

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What are your professional interests / likes?

I’ve a very keen interest in muscle and joint injuries, particularly in the lower limb. Tearing my ACL playing camogie as a teen put me on the path to Physiotherapy and gives me a lived understanding of rehabilitation, the frustration of setbacks, and what it takes to return to sport.

As mentioned above, I’m very interested in the mind–body connection and use evidence-based techniques to help clients overcome barriers, negative beliefs and blocks, and to thrive through rehabilitation. I like to treat clients holistically, addressing lifestyle factors that may be contributing to their complaint or limiting recovery.

I’m also passionate about healthy ageing and exercise for older adults, with a particular focus on women’s health. I get a great sense of satisfaction from creating practical programmes that help people maintain function, independence and quality of life.

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What kind of personal interests do you have?

I train most days, typically splitting my time between strength sessions in the gym and reformer Pilates, which helps to keep me strong, mobile and injury resilient.

 

Growing up, I played camogie (with Burgess-Duharra) and tennis, and I still love being active; I’ve completed a couple of half marathons and I’m aiming for my first full one next year!

I like to use meditation, breath-work and cold-water swimming in Lough Derg to sharpen focus and speed up recovery, and I fill my commute and workouts with podcasts about health, lifestyle and the mind–body connection.

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I also love catching up with friends over coffee while I like to travel whenever I can.

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Tell us something about yourself that others may not know?!

I know my way around a dairy farm!

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Anything else you'd like to add?

I became a Physio because I want to help people get back to the activities I love myself - exercise, sport and everyday movement. Having torn my ACL playing camogie and experienced long periods off the pitch, I know how frustrating and isolating injury can feel. I use that personal experience together with evidence‑based treatment to help people recover, regain confidence, and return to sport, work and daily life pain‑free. I like to work in a relaxed, welcoming way, focusing on practical goals and addressing lifestyle factors that affect recovery, and I’m proud to do that as part of the brilliant team here at Gold Standard.

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​Sincerely yours,

Trí