Cloghan dual player Mairéad joins staff of Offaly Sports Partnership

Cloghan native Mairéad Daly has joined the staff of Offaly Sports Partnership, where she has been appointed as its new child and youth coach.

Offaly Sports Partnership said the appointment of the prominent Gaelic games player represented a new chapter for youth sport development in the county.

In a statement this morning, it said Daly "brings a wealth of experience" to the position, both on and off the field.

"She was honoured as Offaly Ladies Footballer of the Decade (2006–2016) and earned spots on the Lidl Division 3 Team of the League in 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

"A pivotal player in Offaly’s All-Ireland Junior Championship win in 2013, she was named Junior Footballer of the Year that same season. At club level, with St Rynagh’s, she captured three senior county football titles.

"Daly's playing success also extends to camogie, where she was awarded Offaly Camogie Player of the Year in 2020. She played a leading role in St Rynagh's back-to-back All-Ireland Intermediate Club Camogie Championships in 2020 and 2021, cementing her reputation as a dual-code athlete of distinction," added Offaly Sports Partnership.

"Off the pitch, Daly holds a Business degree in Sport and Recreation Management and a Masters in Marketing. These qualifications underpin her strong grasp of programme delivery, strategic planning, and community outreach - critical skills she now brings to her coaching role.

"In 2019, Daly broke new ground as Offaly's first-ever Games Promotion Officer appointed directly by a club. In Edenderry she left a lasting legacy by launching a local camogie club, increasing youth participation through school engagement, and founding 'GAA For All', an inclusive programme for children with additional needs."

Commenting on her new role, Daly said, "I'm very excited to step into the role of child and youth coach with Offaly Sports Partnership. I've always had a great interest in coaching, and this role allows me to coach several different sports with participation and inclusion at the forefront.

"Sport has given me so much in life and I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to give back and help the next generation find their passion and place through sport."

She added, "I've been lucky to experience sport as a player, a coach, and a development officer — and I’m excited to bring all of that into this new position. I'm especially passionate about making sport inclusive and enjoyable for every child, regardless of ability or background."

Her role as child and youth coach will "collaborate all the various initiative of the Sports Partnership which target children, young people and those underrepresented in sport".

She will champion inclusive sport, promote lifelong participation among young people of all backgrounds and abilities, and build on the Sports Partnership's aim of improving youth fitness.

The management committee and existing staff of Offaly Sports Partnership extended a very warm welcome to Mairéad and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to make on youth sport in the county.