ABOUT US

Target Nutrition

OUR AIM

Welcome to Target Nutrition – Your Evidence-Based Performance Nutrition Solution.

At Target Nutrition, we’re dedicated to revolutionising the way you approach nutrition for optimal performance. Founded on the principles of science and driven by a passion for excellence, we are committed to providing you with evidence-based solutions to fuel your success.

Backed by a team of leading performance nutritionists, we understand the critical role that nutrition plays in achieving peak performance. Our mission is clear: to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to reach your goals effectively and sustainably.

We believe in the power of evidence. That’s why the recommendations, resources and systems we offer are rigorously researched and scientifically validated. We understand that in an era of influencers, sensationalist headlines and click-bait, nutrition can be confusing. You can trust that every aspect of Target Nutrition is grounded in proven science.

But we’re more than just a nutrition company – we’re your partners in performance. Whether you’re an elite athlete striving for podium finishes or an everyday champion pursuing personal bests, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our team is dedicated to providing unparalleled guidance, personalised strategies, and unwavering encouragement to help you unlock your full potential.

Join us at Target Nutrition and experience the difference that evidence-based nutrition can make in your performance journey. Together, let’s set our sights on your best and hit every target, one milestone at a time.

In the era of social media, influencers, marketing strategies and sensationalist headlines, nutrition can be very confusing for people. There is lots of misinformation, false claims and myths around food out there. At Target Nutrition, we use a no-nonsense, evidence-based approach to ensure that you’re doing what it takes to get to where you want to be in safe, sustainable and healthy way. We will educate you in everything you need including healthy food choices, portion control, healthy recipes and cooking skills.

A healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to feel difficult or feel like a chore and should be based on eating natural, nutritious and minimally processed foods to suit your food preferences.

This belief carries over into our sports performance ethos. Before considering sports nutrition strategies and supplements, we believe that the core foundation of optimal performance begins with a healthy balanced diet incorporating a wide range of whole foods.

We believe that every client is different and will be treated as so.

MEET THE TEAM

John O'Connor

Hello, I’m John O’Connor, SENr performance nutritionist and owner of Target Nutrition, where my passion for food, education, and sport converge to provide a unique nutrition coaching experience for all our members. As well as operating Target Nutrition, I’m currently the Head of Nutrition at Kerry GAA, allowing me to bring a wealth of practical experience to the table, honed through years of working with elite athletes to optimise their diets for peak health and performance.

My role as a lecturer of nutrition science further enriches my educational approach, blending real-world, practical insights with the latest academic research to offer clients a truly bespoke service. At Target Nutrition, I don’t just provide meal plans; I work with clients to craft personalised strategies that empower individuals to embrace nutrition as a cornerstone of their athletic journey.

Since founding Target Nutrition in 2020, I have worked with athletes of all levels across multiple sports to offer more than just guidance; it’s a transformative experience that marries the joy of eating with the pursuit of athletic success. Join us on this journey, and hit your target one milestone at a time.

Qualifications

- BSc Sports and Exercise Science, University of Limerick
- MSc Exercise and Nutrition Science, University of Chester

Registrations & Certificates

- Disordered Eating in Athletes – Loughborough University - Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine and Society – University of Michigan
- Food as Medicine: Food, Exercise & The Gut – Monash University
- Food Safety HACCP Level 2 – Food Safety Authority of Ireland
- Member of The Nutrition Society
- Associate Member of British Dietetic Association
- Graduate Member of the Sports and Exercise Nutrition Registrar (SENr)
- UK Anti-Doping Accredited Advisor
- Standard First Aid
-Association for Nutrition Associate Registered Nutritionist
-Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute Sport & Exercise Nutrition Group

Joe O’Connor

Kerry All-Ireland Winning Captain

“I’ve worked with John for the last 2 years during his time with the Kerry Senior football team. He is easily one of the best in the business, extremely approachable and always explains everything in a simple and an easily understood way. I got injured last year and he was an amazing help, from just after the operation, to when I was back on the pitch, he had it all down to a tee, giving great tips and advice to help me feel my best when training. Top guy and excellent at what he does”.

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Kevin Cronin

Pro Boxer

I started working with John only a few weeks ago. Being in the boxing gym multiple times a day, getting the roadwork in, travelling for sparring and juggling it with my job. I was feeling the fatigue, lack of energy for sparring sessions and other training, trying to look after my weight and hope my body has the fuel to help me with recovery while winging my own nutrition with the bit of knowledge I had. Only a short few weeks in and I cannot believe the changes, more energy, finding that extra gear to push that bit more and actually enjoying my sessions again while getting the most I possibly can out of them to progress and waking up the next morning with lots of energy and ready to go again. All down to John and his knowledge, the changes he has made to my career by implementing his nutrition knowledge into my plan is mind blowing. John's a great guy, explains everything very clearly and makes everything very easy to understand. I couldn't recommend John enough and look forward to continuing to work with him in the future. The only regret I have is not starting with him sooner..

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Denis Moynihan

Manager, Rathmore GAA

"I got in touch with John to give a few of our lads a hand with their nutrition. The beauty of the service John provides is that instead of just providing general nutrition information to the entire panel, he works closely with the lads who really need it. As with any group of individuals, different lads will have different needs, and John caters to players on an individual basis whether it's fat loss, muscle gain or just general eating habits.

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Ciara O'Rourke

Hi, my name is Ciara O’Rourke, a qualified and SENr registered performance nutritionist here at Target Nutrition. My aim is to enhance people’s awareness, knowledge and understanding of food, and the role it plays in performing your best.

From an early age, I knew my career would be in sports performance and as an international junior volleyball player, I was further fascinated by the impact professional coaches and backroom teams had on their players. As nutrition played a huge role in my own competitive endeavours, I would like to help others recognise their full potential by gaining in-depth knowledge of nutrition.

Since completing my MSc in ATU, I have worked with athletes across a wide range of sports and have worked as Lead Nutritionist with the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team and Limerick Senior Camogie Team. During this time, I worked closely with players both as a group and individually to help maximise their performance both on and off the field. I have helped many individuals reach their goal while creating a healthy relationship with food – something that I intend to accomplish with every member of Target Nutrition!

Qualifications:

- Atlantic Technological University (ATU): Master’s in applied Sport & Exercise Nutrition
-Technological University Shannon (TUS): Honours in Applied Strength & Conditioning
-Galway Technical Institute (GTI): Diploma in Sports Massage & Swedish Massage
-ITEC: Personal Trainer
-NTC: National Qualification in Pre and Post Natal Exercise

Registrations & Certificates:

- Sports and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr) @ British Dietetic Association
- Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute (INDI) / Sports Exercise & Nutrition (SENG)
- Student Representative on a Validation Panel – May 2023
- ISAK Level 1 Practitioner
- UKAD Protecting Sport – Anti Doping Modules
- Food Safety & HACCP Level 1 & 2
- Allergen Awareness

Noel McGrath

Tipperary Senior Hurler Testimonial

Ciara is extremely professional and knowledgeable in her work as a performance nutritionist. She was a massive help to me while working together as part of the Tipperary Senior Hurling team. Ciara helped me reach my goals in this key area which helped me perform on the field.

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Mairead Ryan

Limerick Senior Camogie Testimonial

I had a great experience with the wonderful Ciara O’Rourke. Her advice was invaluable, and her friendly nature always made her approachable. Ciara was always at the other end of the phone when needed. Prior to my experience with Ciara, my biggest problem was fuelling correctly for matches. I always felt tired and drained. After my first session with Ciara and having taken all her advice on board, I began to notice my energy levels during matches had increased significantly. Her attention to detail, clear explanations and more importantly care towards her clients made her approach to nutrition a very enjoyable experience. I would highly recommend Ciara to anyone who is looking for help with nutrition!

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Liam Cahill

Tipperary Senior Hurling Manager Testimonial

“I have worked with Ciara O Rourke in the 2022-2023 season in her role as Tipperary Senior Hurling nutritionist. Ciara’s responsibility is to work one to one with all members of the Tipperary senior hurling panel catering for all their nutritional needs throughout the various stages of the season. Ciara’s enthusiasm ,passion and most of all expertise has contributed to major personal and team gains this year. Ciara’s professionalism ,dedication and work ethic combined with her excellent communication , and skill to work as part of a team assisted players and management to drive the standards of hight performance every day. I am very grateful to Ciara for the work she has done over the past 12 months and wish her the very best of luck as she joins the Target Nutrition Team.”

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Kate Bryan

Physiotherapist & CrossFit Goer

I worked with Ciara over a period of 6 months. I thought I had a good understanding of food and nutrition beforehand, but Ciara was able to point out patterns in my daily eating and weekly habits that I hadn't realised myself. She educated me on the importance of eating ENOUGH food and the right type of food with an emphasis on protein. Ciara also educated me on the different food I need to eat when training differently each day. Ciara is so approachable and always encouraged me to update her weekly with my progress, be it a week where I had reached my goals or a week when barriers got in my way. I would highly recommend Ciara for her nutrition services. She has changed the way I think about food forever.

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Conor Stakelum

Tipperary Senior Hurler Testimonial

Ciara has been a pleasure to work with. Not only has she helped elevate my performance on the field through nutrition but has also helped me enjoy food a lot more off the field through her fun and expansive recipes & giving me a better understanding on the impact certain food cans have on the body.

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Barry Coffey

Founder of Pathway to Elite Performance

Ciara joined the Pathway to Elite Performance (PEP) team from the very start and she fulfilled her role to the highest order bringing knowledge and experience of how important nutrition is to perform at an elite level. Through different teaching methods, she brought a level of class and perfection that only certain people can do to help you understand the importance of how to fuel the body properly. Teaching different age groups and all types of different sport athletes she left no stone unturned and always made everyone feel welcome and comfortable, bringing fun and laughter to each workshop while offering such top-class information. She is the perfect fit for a role that strives for excellence. Elite performance wouldn’t be reachable without people like Ciara!

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