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About Us
Meet The Team
Meet our team of highly qualified and experienced Chartered Physiotherapists.
Monkstown Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic is a chartered physiotherapy practice located in Monkstown village, Co. Dublin. The practice was established in 2004 and together the physiotherapists have over 50 years clinical experience.
AVRIL CRAIG
MISCP
Avril is a Chartered Physiotherapist with a particular interest in Rheumatology, Sports Injuries, Osteoporosis and Lymphoedema. She is co-owner of Monkstown Physiotherapy Clinic which she founded in 2004 along with Sharon Kelly.
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Avril qualified from Trinity College Dublin in 1995 with an honours degree in physiotherapy. She worked for a period in the USA, establishing a physiotherapy department in a new Rehabilitation hospital before returning to join the physiotherapy department of St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, where she was a Senior Physiotherapist in Rheumatology, Pain Management and Hand Surgery Rehabilitation. Whilst at SVUH Avril also developed a programme for delivering multidisciplinary care to patients with Osteoporosis and Osteopenia and spoke extensively on the topic at conferences and to GP groups.
Avril is a qualified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist and works closely with the Breast Clinic of St Vincent’s University Hospital to deliver care to Lymphoedema patients following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. She also works directly with vascular and general surgeons in the patient management of Lymphoedema and Lipoedema.
She was Chairperson of the Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine for 3 years and worked with Barnhall Rugby Club as Senior team physio.
Avril is a firm believer in putting the patient in charge of their own rehab and promotes a holistic approach to maintaining a fit and healthy body.
She is married with 3 lively and very busy teenagers and a cricket playing husband and in her spare time tries her best to cycle, run and practice Pilates. One day she hopes to get back to playing golf!
SHARON KELLY
MISCP
Sharon is a Chartered Physiotherapist, women’s health specialist and qualified Pilates instructor. She is co-owner of Monkstown Physiotherapy Clinic, having established the business with Avril Craig in 2004.
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Sharon graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1994 with an honours degree in physiotherapy. She initially worked in Sligo General Hospital before travelling to the USA for several years where she gained invaluable experience in the areas of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal/ Geriatric rehabilitation.
On her return to Ireland, Sharon joined the team at St Vincent’s University Hospital Dublin, completing all rotations in Respiratory, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Neurology, Orthopaedics and Cardiology. She also took on Senior Physiotherapy roles in Orthopaedics and Care of the Elderly.
Sharon worked as team physiotherapist for Wanderers Rugby Club for 2 years with their senior squad.
Since 2000 Sharon has worked in Private Practice, continuously developing and broadening her physiotherapy skills and qualifications and she has completed specialist training in Women’s Health, ante-natal and post-natal care, Pilates, and Lower Limb Biomechanics & Orthotic prescription.
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Sharon recently launched a key new service for Monkstown Physiotherapy Clinic – ‘Mummy MOT’ which offers a unique physiotherapy assessment, advice and rehabilitation programme for women post pregnancy.
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Sharon is mum to 2 very busy teenage boys and in her spare time she loves walking, Pilates, baking and reading.
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CAOIMHE O'CONNOR
MISCP
Caoimhe is a vestibular rehabilitation and paediatric physiotherapy specialist, who graduated from UCD in 2008 with an honours degree in physiotherapy.
She first worked in Irish hospitals in orthopaedics, intensive care, neurology and paediatrics; before taking up a role within HSE Primary Care.
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While in this position, Caoimhe completed rotations in orthopaedics, musculoskeletal clinics, chronic pain clinics, falls prevention, home visits, nursing homes, stroke unit, Adult Physical and Sensory Disability Team, Early Intervention Team, School-Age Disability Team.
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Caoimhe then worked for 7 years as a Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist for the HSE. She assessed and treated infants, children and teenagers with a wide range of developmental, orthopaedic, disability and pain concerns.
Over the course of her career, Caoimhe has undertaken extensive additional training including: dry needling, orthotic prescription, biomechanical analysis, pilates, trauma management, neurodynamics, autism and neurodiversity, motivational interviewing, concussion treatment, pain management and vestibular rehabilitation.
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Caoimhe completed her Advanced Vestibular Physiotherapy training in 2018. She uses the most up-to-date evidence-based assessments and interventions to achieve the best clinical outcomes for BPPV/vertigo, concussion, vestibular migraine and other disorders of dizziness and balance.
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In her spare time, Caoimhe is a keen mountain- biker and musician.
MARK THORNTON
MISCP
Mark is a Chartered Physiotherapist, Strength and Conditioning Coach and Sports Massage Therapist. He graduated from The University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol with an BSc Honours Degree in Physiotherapy.
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In the UK, he gained valuable experience in a wide range of clinical areas including musculoskeletal injuries, post-operative orthopaedics such as post-knee and hip replacements, rheumatology conditions such as osteo and rheumatoid arthritis as well as care of the elderly.
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He has since worked in Physiotherapy clinics where he added to his experience, understanding and knowledge of pain management and injury rehabilitation.
Mark combines his knowledge of sports massage, hands-on techniques, exercise prescription and sports performance to treat and manage his patients’ rehab. Along with this, Mark can create rehab exercise plans that cater to your specific goals, injury history and activity levels. Whether your goal is to be able to play with your grandchildren pain-free, return to your sport or eliminate pain related to day-to-day life, Mark can get you there.
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Mark also played basketball at an elite level in UK giving him a deep understanding of athletic development, sports performance and the challenges athletes face when it comes to injuries.
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Mark has had many injuries over the course of his basketball career, giving him a unique insight and first-hand experience in dealing with pain, injuries and the rehabilitation process.
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In 2022, he underwent surgery after rupturing his Achilles tendon. This has given him an even greater understanding and invaluable experience in injury rehab and is now well on his way to returning to the basketball court.
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Mark also works with both individual and team-based athletes and has helped over 100 athletes (including inter-county GAA, professional basketball, rugby and soccer players) to improve their sporting performance and to prevent injuries.
Due to Mark’s clinical, high-level sport and first-hand injury experiences, he has a well-rounded understanding of pain, injuries and the rehab process to get you back to whatever activity, sport or goal that you wish to achieve regardless of your age or activity level!