Thaliana Vitharana UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic Sports Medicine Department

Thilina Vitharana

Also known in the clinic as ‘T’, is a clinical specialist physiotherapist in SSC Sports Medicine. Thilina’s experience encompasses treating a broad range of sports and orthopaedic injuries. However, he predominantly focuses on lower limb rehabilitation with an interest in knee rehabilitation. He is CORU registered and a chartered physiotherapist with the ISCP.

Thilina also holds the title of APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist with the Australian Physiotherapists Association.Thilina is currently completing his PhD into sensorimotor dysfunction following ACL reconstruction. He also holds a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy (University of Queensland) and a Masters in High Performance Sport (Australian Catholic University), alongside his BSc of Physiotherapy (University of Sydney).

Thilina has more than 12 years of experience working with recreational, Olympic and elite athletes from various sports: GAA, rugby, cricket, Aussie rules, netball and athletics. He is a level 1 strength and conditioning coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association and is currently completing his level 2 accreditation.Outside of the clinic, Thilina works with the Senior Mens Monaghan Football Team.

 

 

 

Luke Fogarty is a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic

Luke Fogarty

Luke Fogarty is a physiotherapist who joined UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in 2022, initially spending a year with the IPOP team before moving into Sports Medicine. Luke has developed significant experience in the management of post-operative, acute and chronic spinal, upper and lower limb patients, and concussion, with a particular clinical interest in concussion rehabilitation. Prior to completing his MSc in physiotherapy in UL in 2021, he completed a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering in NUIG. Currently he is completing a master’s in research through RCSI, investigating the role of cervical focused treatment in concussion rehabilitation.

He has worked extensively with both the general and athletic population, treating musculoskeletal pathology across all levels of recovery and performance. Luke’s experience includes working closely with consultants as part of a multidisciplinary team in both ward-based post-operative care and outpatient sports medicine settings. Alongside his clinical practice, he has applied his expertise at an intercounty level, serving as physiotherapist to the Meath senior hurling team over the past two seasons, and most recently joining Meath senior football performance department.

David is a Senior Physiotherapist at UPMC SSC Sports Medicine

David McCrea

David is a Senior Physiotherapist at UPMC SSC Sports Medicine who works primarily across the lower limb rehabilitation streams with a special interest in Foot & Ankle rehabilitation. He enjoys treating complex post-operative and chronic ankle injuries.He is currently completing his PhD in return to sport following Achilles Tendon repair through the University of Roehampton. David also holds a Masters in Sports Injury Rehabilitation from the University of Salford, in addition to his BSc in Physiotherapy from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

David has a history of working in professional sporting environments having spent a number of years living in the UK where he worked with Premier League football clubs: Wolves & Burnley FC. This experienced has allowed David to develop his skills in rehabilitation from the acute injury phase to end stage return to play phase.

Currently outside of the clinic, David works with Hockey Ireland as a physiotherapist across a number of their international squads. He is a keen hockey player himself, currently playing at senior club level and previously having played at underage international level for Ireland. is interested in learning the effect of resistance training or the musculoskeletal system, quality of life of patients with persistent low back pain. Katie has always enjoyed working as part of a team; she has developed strong working relationships with her colleagues in SSC including Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Consultants, which enables clear communication and facilitates easy onward referral if required.

 

 

 

 

Claire Phelan clinical specialist physiotherapist leading UPMC SSC spinal rehabilitation team

Claire Whelan

Claire Whelan is a clinical specialist physiotherapist at UPMC Sports Surgery Clinics Sports Medicine Department. She currently leads the spinal rehabilitation team and has over a decade of experience specialising in spinal care across diverse healthcare settings. After completing her BSc in Physiotherapy at University College Dublin, Claire developed her expertise in spinal rehabilitation at Beaumont Hospital and later worked with spinal consultants at the Poynton SpineCare Institute.

Claire’s skills encompass the rehabilitation of complex spinal and post-surgical patients, and, she has served as a first-contact practitioner within multidisciplinary teams. She has a strong interest in movement and motor control and has pursued extensive training in these areas to enhance her patients’ outcome.

Driven by a passion for high-quality, patient-centred care, Claire has deepened her knowledge through a Masters of Science in Neuromusculoskeletal Healthcare from Keele University and a EuroSpine Diploma in Interprofessional Spine Care. Known for her innovative approach, she has also completed a Graduate Certificate in Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at UCD and a Certificate in Immersive Digital Learning, enhancing her adaptability and leadership in the evolving healthcare landscape.