Momentum Foot & Ankle Specialists
Momentum Foot & Ankle Specialists is a new clinic located in Oranmore, Co Galway. Launched in January 2021, Momentum aims to manage all your foot and ankle needs resolving pain and improving quality of life.
Sarah O’Connell
Sarah is a Podiatrist, Director at Momentum Foot & Ankle Specialists, and Lecturer in Podiatric Medicine at the University of Galway. She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Podiatric Medicine from the University of Galway before completing a Master’s degree in Sports and Exercise Medicine at the University of Ulster.
Sarah is passionate about helping people overcome foot and ankle pain so they can stay active and enjoy the activities they love. She enjoys treating a wide range of foot and lower limb conditions, taking the time to understand each patient’s goals and providing treatment plans tailored to their individual needs.
Alongside her work at Momentum, Sarah lectures on the Podiatric Medicine programme at the University of Galway, where she combines clinical practice with teaching and research. This allows her to remain up to date with the latest evidence and advances in podiatry, ensuring her patients receive the highest standard of care.
Sarah has a particular interest in sports injuries, biomechanics, gait analysis and custom orthotic therapy. Throughout her career, she has worked with athletes of all levels, including professional rugby players and intercounty Gaelic football and hurling teams. She also has previous experience working in orthotic manufacturing, giving her specialist knowledge in orthotic design and prescription for a wide range of foot and lower limb conditions.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys keeping active and has a keen interest in sport. She understands how important it is to stay mobile and active, whether you’re an elite athlete, a weekend runner or simply looking to stay pain-free in everyday life.
Sarah is passionate about delivering high-quality, evidence-based care and believes in taking the time to ensure every patient feels listened to, supported, and confident throughout their treatment journey.
Marie Hegarty
Marie is a Podiatrist originally from Ballina, Co. Mayo. She is a Director at Momentum Foot and Ankle Specialists. Marie has an absolute passion for all things movement. Ever since graduating with her degree in Podiatric Medicine from NUIG in 2016, her main goal has been simple: helping people overcome foot pain and lower limb issues so they can get back to doing what they love.
Over the years, Marie’s career has taken her on some amazing journeys, giving her a mix of local and international experience working with patients in both Ireland and Dubai. Along the way, she spent four years working closely alongside Professor Stephen Kearns, Orthopaedic Surgeon, in a specialised setting. This hands-on experience gave her a massive wealth of knowledge in managing complex musculoskeletal (MSK) and sports injuries.
Marie is a firm believer that healthcare should always put the patient first. To bring even more value to her clinic, she completed a Master’s Degree in Health Promotion in September 2022. She loves using this knowledge to empower her patients, ensuring they truly understand their own recovery journey and feel confident in their care.
Because of her love for movement, Marie also qualified as a Pilates Instructor. She teaches online and in-person Pilates classes that give clients a welcoming space to slow down, tune in, and explore how their bodies move.
In the clinic, she loves blending her podiatry background with her Pilates expertise. This allows her to design specialised, movement-based exercise plans tailored to individual needs. Of course, Marie also provides all the essential routine podiatry and specialised foot care needs, including:
- Biomechanical Assessments
- Routine Podiatry Services
- Custom Orthotic Therapy
- Foot Mobilisation Techniques
- Children’s Foot Examinations
Absolutely delighted to join the team as a podiatrist at Momentum Foot and Ankle Clinic!
I am so proud of my sister Sarah O’Connell for following in the family footsteps of owning her own business, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of it.
I am thrilled that my degrees of a BSc in Podiatric Medicine (University of Galway) and a MSc in Science and Health Communications (Dublin City University) have allowed me to obtain the varied work week I strive for.
Looking forward to spending my Saturdays in Momentum Foot and Ankle Clinic alongside a fantastic team!
