JUDGES

Roddy Guiney (Chair)

Roddy Guiney , a former Chairman of the Federation of Irish Sport , has been involved in sport all his life. He grew up in a sporting family, his father Dave being an Olympian and a very successful sportswriter and historian. Roddy, who is still Chairman of Wilson Hartnell, the country’s largest public relations company. He spent most of his working career with that company and was responsible for creating its sports marketing arm, which today is involved in many of the country’s leading sports sponsorships.

Clare McGrath

Clare is the Chairperson of the Federation of Irish Sport. She is a lifelong member of Water Safety Ireland and Swim Ireland. Having served on the Swim Ireland Munster Regional Executive in various roles including Secretary and Treasurer. She was Swim Ireland President 2009/2010. From 2012 to 2014 Clare served as a Swim Ireland board member and also as Chairman to the SI board from 2014-2019. She is currently a member of the board of Water Safety Ireland, for a 5 year term and appointed as Chairman of the Lifesaving Sport Commission, responsible for all Regional and National competitions, National squads and International teams.

Graham Russell

Graham is the Head of Sport in Louth County Council, a role which he has held since 2014 and includes the management of Louth Local Sports Partnership. He has 30 years experience working in the Sports and leisure industry. Graham was appointed to the Board of Louth Local Sports Partnership in 2009. In 2014, he was tasked with restructuring the provision of sports services in Louth to incorporate the Local Sports Partnership into an integrated Sports Unit. This unique structure has increased Louth Local Sports Partnership’s capacity to deliver by ensuring a more effective and efficient delivery of the Sports Units remit. Graham was appointed to the Board of the Federation of Irish Sport in 2019 and represents the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships.

Marie Crowe

Marie Crowe is an award winning sports journalist and broadcaster with RTÉ Sport. She has over a decade experience reporting on a wide variety of sports in the national media, having previously worked as a staff writer with the Sunday Independent. The Clare native currently hosts Game On, a daily sports show on RTÉ 2fm.

Declan Jordan

Declan is a Vide Dean for Graduate Studies, Senior Lecturer in Economics,  UCC. Declan’s research interests include innovation, regional development and competitiveness, innovation and enterprise policy, and sports economics. Prior to joining UCC, Declan gained substantial management and corporate experience, as Manager, Consulting with the leading Irish treasury and financial consulting firm in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and as Treasury Manager with Intel Ireland.

Stephanie MacSweeney

Stephanie is the National Sport Inclusion Coordinator with Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland. Her role is focused on supporting sporting organisations to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport and physical activity. With a background in the leisure, health and fitness sector and passion for sport and physical activity, Stephanie recognises how valuable volunteers are in helping people participate in sport. 

Cólleen Devine O Rourke

Cólleen is the Cross Collaboration Project Manager in the Participation Unit of Sport Ireland. With over 10 years experience in the sports sector, Cólleen is currently focusing on the development of the Volunteer for Sport Strategy, as well as management of Dormant Accounts Funding for the sector. Cólleen recognises the importance of volunteering, and is currently the junior fixtures secretary in her local hockey club.

Tony Marshall

Tony is a Regional Manager with Clann Credo – Community Loan Finance, a proud partner of the Federation of Irish Sport. Clann Credo is a not-for-profit providing affordable access to loan finance for Sports and Community groups across the country. In his role with Clann Credo Tony sees, on a daily basis, the crucial impact that volunteers have in the successful management and development of Sports Clubs.