Meet the new officers of Offaly Sports Partnership

Offaly Sports Partnership has announced its officers for the coming year, bringing together a wealth of experience across sport, community development, and professional leadership.

Leading the committee as Chairperson is Robert McDermott, who returns to the role for a second term, alongside newly appointed Vice Chairperson Ciara Ní Chéilleachair, Financial Monitor Darren Butler and Sports Representative to the Executive James Kavanagh.

Robert McDermott has a long-standing involvement in sport as both a participant and administrator, with a particularly strong background in rugby. He played at senior level with clubs including Clontarf, Belvedere and Shannon, and is a lifelong member of Edenderry Rugby Club. His contribution to the game includes serving as President of Leinster Rugby in 2015/16.

He has held a range of leadership roles within sport, including Chair of the Leinster Rugby Management Committee, where he supported club development initiatives and programmes promoting mental health and inclusion. He has also been involved in national initiatives such as the IRFU Disability Tag Rugby Programme.

Robert has been actively involved with Offaly Sports Partnership since 2017, previously serving on the board and as Chairperson.

In addition to his sporting involvement, Robert is a self-employed businessman and proprietor of Eden Print in Edenderry. He has also contributed to community and public life through his work with organisations such as Down Syndrome Ireland and as a member of Offaly County Council from 2019 to 2024.

Speaking on his appointment, Robert said: “I am delighted to be back as Chairperson of Offaly Sports Partnership. This will be my second term, and we have a very diverse and inclusive committee which I am really looking forward to working with, along with the excellent staff in the Partnership. With the pending launch of a new sports plan for the county in the coming months, it promises to be an exciting time for sport in Offaly.”

Ciara Ní Chéilleachair has completed one term on the Management Committee of Offaly Sports Partnership, during which she played an active role on the Governance and Risk Subgroup. Beginning her second term, Ciara now takes on the role of Vice Chairperson.

Ciara has a long background in sport, having participated in athletics, basketball and ladies football. She represented Offaly at both underage and senior level in ladies football, but is perhaps best known for her achievements in rowing as an elite athlete and trailblazer for women in the sport.

She has been involved in rowing since 1985, when Offaly Rowing Club was founded, and quickly established herself as one of the club’s leading competitors, winning multiple national titles. In 1988, she earned the first of many international selections when she represented Ireland at a Home Nations Regatta. A year later, she became the first Irish female rower to represent Ireland at a Junior World Rowing Championship, competing in Szeged, Hungary.

Away from competition, Ciara has made a significant contribution to the administration and development of rowing. She served as Team Manager of the Irish Under-23 Rowing Team during the 2004–2008 Olympic cycle and has also managed Irish teams at World Championships and World University Games.

Darren Butler has recently rejoined the Management Committee of Offaly Sports Partnership, having previously served a term which concluded in 2021. With over 25 years’ experience in the banking sector, he brings significant financial expertise and insight to his role as Financial Monitor.

Darren has a lifelong involvement in athletics, having first competed with Tullamore Harriers at the age of 11. As an athlete, he has achieved success at county, regional and national level, winning multiple medals.

His contribution to athletics extends well beyond competition. He has served on the committee of Tullamore Harriers and the Offaly Athletics County Board. In 2014, he was elected Chairperson of Offaly Athletics, a position he held for ten years.

Darren’s blend of financial expertise, combined with his long-standing commitment to sport development, positions him strongly to support the continued growth of Offaly Sports Partnership.

James Kavanagh brings a strong background in sport and community involvement to his role as Sports Representative on the Executive of Offaly Sports Partnership. A lifelong sports participant, he has competed across a wide range of disciplines including Gaelic football, hurling, rounders, athletics and more.

He has played inter-county Gaelic football with both New York at senior level and Laois at junior level, and has also achieved notable success in rounders, winning multiple All-Ireland titles and All-Star awards.

Professionally, James is a health economist and Managing Director of his own consultancy business, with over 20 years’ leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland and internationally.

James is deeply involved in club development at local level. He is a founding member and Chairperson of Shamrocks Camogie Club, where he has played a key role in its growth in recent years. He also serves as Chairperson of Shamrocks LGFA Club, is a member of the Shamrocks GAA Committee, and coaches several juvenile camogie teams.

Joining the four elected officers on the Executive Committee is Deardriu Lally, representing Offaly County Council, which hosts Offaly Sports Partnership.

Deardriu is a Senior Executive Officer in the Community and Culture Section of Offaly County Council and serves as Chief Officer of the Offaly Local Community Development Committee.