Consultant in Sports & Exercise Medicine
Private clinic — Blackrock Clinic, Dublin
National Team Doctor, Ireland Rugby
Head of Performance Support, Men's Senior Team
FFSEM · MFSEM (UK) · MICGP · MSc (Oxon) · BSc Physiotherapy (Hons)
About
Dr Stuart O'Flanagan is a Consultant in Sports & Exercise Medicine based at Blackrock Clinic, Dublin. In private practice he sees active people of all ages and abilities — from middle-aged patients with shoulder, knee, hip or back pain, to recreational runners, cyclists and golfers, to club-level players and international athletes. Every patient receives the same specialist assessment, the same clear diagnosis, and the same tailored plan.
Alongside his private clinic, he is the National Team Doctor and Head of Performance Support to the Irish Men's Senior Rugby team — overseeing all medical care and the integrated performance support system across Six Nations campaigns, Rugby World Cups, and international tours. Before this, he spent six seasons as Team Doctor to Leinster Rugby through four European Champions Cup finals and four successive Pro14/URC titles. Beyond rugby, he consults individually with elite athletes across GAA, Major-winning golfers on the European and US PGA Tours, international track and field athletes, and professional football players from League of Ireland to the Premier League.
His path to the top of Irish sports medicine is distinctive. He trained first as a chartered physiotherapist, before completing a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, where he covered the Western Province and Stormers Super Rugby academy. He then read for an MSc in Science and Medicine of Athletic Performance at the University of Oxford, graduated in medicine at the University of Limerick, and completed Higher Specialist Training in Sports & Exercise Medicine through the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine (RCPI/RCSI) — becoming the first Irish-trained Consultant in Sports & Exercise Medicine in the country.
That breadth — physiotherapy, high-performance sport, Oxford methodology, and a decade inside elite sport — directly informs how he approaches every patient. He does not simply treat the injury. He understands the person, the load, the context, and the goal.
Clinical expertise
Specialist, non-operative diagnosis and management of sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions in adults of all ages — from the recreational runner with knee pain, to the 60-year-old with a frozen shoulder, to the international athlete returning to sport. If your injury is not resolving, or you have not received a clear diagnosis, this is the right place to start.
Tendon & muscle
Joint & bone
Special interests
For clinicians
What referring clinicians can expect
*There are periods of the year when Dr O'Flanagan will be in full-time camp with the IRFU. We will endeavour to provide you with the soonest available appointment.
Direct referral contact
For referrals, clinical queries, or urgent cases, contact the clinic directly:
Email: office.stuart.oflanagan@blackrockhealth.com
Phone: 087 345 4326
Before qualifying as a physician, Dr O'Flanagan worked as a chartered physiotherapist. He understands precisely what physiotherapists and GPs need from a specialist referral — a clear diagnosis, a practical plan, and prompt communication. Every referring clinician receives a detailed letter within 48 hours, and the patient is always returned to their care with a structured plan.
| Consider referring for… | Typical presentation | What I offer |
|---|---|---|
| Undifferentiated MSK pain | Pain not responding to first-line treatment; uncertain diagnosis; no progress after 6–8 weeks of appropriate care | Specialist MSK assessment, bedside ultrasound, clinical correlation with imaging, definitive diagnosis and plan |
| Chronic tendinopathy | Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff, or gluteal tendinopathy not responding to rehab | Evidence-based management, imaging, load recommendations, image-guided injection if indicated |
| Muscle injury | Recurrent injury, slow return to sport, high-grade (BAMIC C), T-junction or proximal tendon involvement | MRI review, intramuscular tendon assessment, return-to-sport staging, interval scanning |
| Return to sport | Medical clearance after orthopaedic surgery or long-term injury; elite or recreational | Sport-specific protocols, surgical and/or medical team liaison, load management |
| Pre-surgical opinion | Patient considering orthopaedic referral — opinion on non-operative options first | Specialist second opinion, transparent discussion of operative vs non-operative pathway |
| Image-guided injection | Patient may require corticosteroid, PRP or hyaluronic acid injection | Consultation followed by ultrasound-guided injection and aftercare plan |
Referrals may be sent by email or Healthlink.
For patients
A short guide to what to expect when attending the clinic — from where to find us, through to what happens after your consultation.
Suite 16, Rock Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, A94 E4X7. On-site parking is available at Blackrock Clinic, and the clinic is easily accessed by DART (Blackrock station) and bus routes along the Rock Road. Please allow yourself 15 minutes for parking.
Loose, comfortable clothing (sports or athleisure wear) that allows a movement-based examination. For lower limb issues, shorts are ideal; for shoulder, neck or spine concerns, a vest top or loose t-shirt works best. Please bring any sports footwear or orthotics you regularly use.
Your consultation begins with a detailed history of your injury or concern, followed by a focused clinical and movement-based examination and review of any relevant imaging that has been arranged. Where appropriate, bedside ultrasound or further investigations may be arranged. You will leave with a clear diagnosis where possible and a tailored management plan — which may include physiotherapy, injection therapy, load modification, or onward referral.
You will receive a detailed letter with a clear plan which, with your consent, will also be sent to your GP and any referring clinician within 48–72 hours. Follow-up appointments, imaging, or procedures will be arranged as needed, and the clinic team will remain in contact to support your recovery and return to activity.
Procedures
Short answers to the questions most commonly asked about image-guided injections. A detailed patient information leaflet is provided before the procedure.
The three most common image-guided injections used in sports and musculoskeletal medicine are corticosteroid (to settle pain and inflammation), Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) (to stimulate natural healing in selected tendons and osteoarthritic joints), and hyaluronic acid (a viscosupplement for osteoarthritic joints). I will recommend the most appropriate option for your condition.
Yes, in almost all cases. Ultrasound guidance allows the needle and target tissue to be visualised throughout the procedure, ensuring the medication is delivered precisely to the intended site.
Injections can be a little uncomfortable at the time, but most people find them more tolerable than expected. The injection itself is usually over within a few seconds. You will be asked to remain in the clinic for approximately 15 minutes afterwards so we can observe for any early reactions.
You do not need to fast. Please tell me in advance if you take blood-thinning medication, are diabetic, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have any allergies or active infection. Detailed preparation and aftercare instructions — including specific medication guidance for PRP — are provided in the patient information leaflet given before your procedure.
Image-guided injections are generally safe and well-tolerated. Serious complications are rare but possible. Please contact the clinic — or attend your nearest emergency department out of hours — if you develop fever, increasing redness or swelling, severe or worsening pain, signs of allergic reaction, or new numbness or weakness. A full list of side effects, warning signs, and clinic contact details is included in the patient information leaflet.
Appointments
Blackrock Clinic
Accepted insurers