JUDGES

Paraic Duffy – Chair of the Judging Panel
Páraic was Principal of Saint Macartan’s College, Monaghan from 1996-2007. He became Director General of the GAA in February 2008 and served in the role until his retirement in 2018. He is currently a member of the Board of Sport Ireland and an independent member on the Board of Ulster GAA. Páraic is also President of Ulster Schools GAA and Coaching Officer in Scotstown GAA club.

Clare McGrath

Roddy Guiney
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.

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.

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.

Niamh Daffy
Having worked in the Disability/Disability Sport sector for over 19 years, as CEO of Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland, Niamh is driven to continue to explore ways in which she can lead, advocate and support increased access, awareness and opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport and physical activity across our society.

David McGill

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.