73 participants selected for 2025 Gaelic Games ‘Leading Provincial Females’ Programme

The successful applicants have been announced for the 2025 Gaelic Games ‘Leading Provincial Females’ Programmes, taking place in Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster.

The 73 participants selected represent 23 counties and have commenced their leadership journeys.

This 12-month programme, secured through the support of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Fund, will run from February until September, with follow-up work to be completed thereafter. The Leading Provincial Females programme is designed for females aged 18+ interested in personal development and potentially leading teams on and off the field.

Throughout the year, participants will engage in four provincial programmes, each of which will consist of face-to-face sessions and online webinars, which will examine their leadership skills.

A key feature of the programme includes three in-person days; one at the start of the programme, one at the midpoint, and one at the conclusion of the programme.

These in-person sessions will focus on developing participants’ leadership skills, while also offering an opportunity for reflection and growth.

Participants must also complete at least two modules from themes across the four strands of coaching, officiating, administration and PR/Media between each of those dates, minimum four in total.

This is a blended course, consisting of face-to-face sessions and online webinars, and the benefits are multi-fold for participants.

They will have the chance to engage with like-minded future leaders in Gaelic Games, while also gaining insight and understanding of their own leadership styles. Experienced leadership trainers will guide the participants through the programme, offering support and expertise to
help develop their potential in Gaelic Games.

This programme is for females who wish to develop and hone their leadership skills, while also furthering development as a coach, match official, administrator or any volunteer role in Gaelic Games.

GAA President, Jalarth Burns, commented: “The Leading Provincial Females Programme is a fantastic initiative and one that underlines the collaborative working relationship between the Gaelic games organisations.

“An exciting 12-month programme awaits the 73 participants who have been selected and the spread of 23 counties covered by the group is a source of huge encouragement.

“The new and enhanced skills acquired by everyone involved will not only benefit Gaelic games but will see participants to bring those same qualities back into their personal and professional lives.We wish them all every success.”

Speaking on behalf of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, President Mícheál Naughton,added: “I am so pleased that this programme is being rolled out once again in 2025. It’s a programme that has the capacity to hone pre-existing skills, while developing new ones.

“Our Association is synonymous with strong female leaders and this programme will be of huge benefit to females who are already leaders in their own right, but who can now be even better leaders in the years to come.

“We’re delighted to work alongside our counterparts in the GAA and the Camogie Association to oversee the rollout of the 2025 Leading Provincial Females programme. It’s wonderful to see such a broad geographical cross-section of participants, and with all four provinces well represented.”

Brian Molloy, President of the Camogie Association, said: “The Camogie Association is proud to support the 2025 ‘Leading Provincial Females’ Programme, which is a vital step in developing the next generation of female leaders in Gaelic Games. This programme brings
together women from clubs across Ireland, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead within their clubs and communities. By investing in the personal and leadership development of women, we are not only strengthening Camogie but also cultivating a culture that inspires and motivates future generations. Through this initiative, we are creating a more inclusive and dynamic future for Gaelic Games as a whole.”

The participants selected are as follows:

MUNSTER

Rachel Healy, St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay LGFA, Clare

Martha Dillon, Crusheen Camogie club, Clare

Bridget Mary Magner, Killavullen LGFA, Cork

Lorraine Lehane, Éire Óg, Cork

Aileen O’Flynn, Ballincollig LGFA, Cork

Jan Foster, Carrigaline, Cork

Michelle Cashman, Ballincollig LGFA, Cork

Ciara O’Flynn, Ballinascarthy Camogie Club, Cork

Vera McGrath, Carrigtwohill, Cork

Amy O’Reilly, Tracton, Cork

Kimberley Hegarty, Aghada Camogie Club, Cork

Alison Keane, Mayfield LGFA, Cork

Susan O’Brien, Kilbrittain, Cork

Tara O’Mahony, Éire Óg, Cork

Mairéad Carmody, Abbeydorney, Kerry

Emma Larkin, Finuge/St.Senans LGFA, Kerry

Dawn O’Connor, Dingle, Kerry

Susan Sherin, Dromin Athlacca Banogue, Limerick

Geraldine Carey, Slieve Felim Rapparees, Tipperary

Úna O’Brien, St. Patrick’s, Tipperary

ULSTER

Nuala Finch, Aeracha Uladh, Antrim

Emma Kielty, Silverbridge, Armagh

Tracy Clarke, Kingscourt Stars, Cavan

Ella Kenny, Lavey, Cavan

Tanya Flaherty, Dundrum GAC, Down

Megan Hughes, An Ríocht GAC, Down

Grainne Coulter, Ballygalget, Down

Emma Cousins, An Ríocht GAC, Down

Carole Breen, Teemore Shamrocks, Fermanagh

Colette Connolly, Aghabog, Monaghan

Roise Darcy, Tattyreagh St. Patricks, Tyrone

Colleen Mulrine, An Eochair Naomh Mhic Artáin, Tyrone

Aoife Boyle, Beragh Red Knights, Tyrone

Louise McKenna, Clogher Éire Óg GAC, Tyrone

Sinéad Martin, Strabane Sigersons, Tyrone

Shauna Carberry, Brackaville Owen Roe’s GFC, Tyrone

LEINSTER

Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin, St Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruadh, Dublin

Lisa Hickey, Binn Eadair, Dublin

Laura Doyle, St Sylvesters GAA, Dublin

Mo Gilsenan, St Brigids GAA, Dublin

Molly O’Neill, Castleknock Gaa, Dublin

Rebecca Clarke, Cuala, Dublin

Talia Earle, Na Gaeil Aeracha, Dublin

Denise Harte Gleeson, St Finians Newcastle, Dublin

Michelle Davoren, Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin

Cathy Ryan, Nurney, Kildare

Sandra McGonagle, Kilcock, Kildare

Grace Kirk, Clan na Gael Dundalk, Louth

Ruth Chambers, Walterstown, Meath

Gráinne Black, St Colmcilles, Meath

Jennifer Boland, Shamrocks, Offaly

Marie Lynagh, Kilbeggan Shamrocks, Westmeath

Clodagh Wheeler, Shandonagh, Westmeath

Caitriona Byrne, Duffry Rovers, Wexford

Laura Mitchell, Castletown Liam Mellows, Wexford

Gillian Curran, Arklow Rocks Parnell, Wicklow

CONNACHT

Caitríona Carty, Galway City Rapparees, Galway

Nicole Grealish, St. Colman’s Camogie Club, Galway

Leighann O’Shea, Castlegar Camogie, Galway

Caroline Creaven, Tuam Cortoon, Galway

Sarah Flattery, Menlough Skehana LGFA, Galway

Clare Ellicott, Claregalway, Galway

Tracy Burke, Aghamore, Mayo

Emma Sweeney, Shrule Glencorrib LGFA, Mayo

Deirdre Donnelly, Carnacon, Mayo

Nicola Macken, Ballinrobe LGFA, Mayo

Aisling McLoughlin, Shrule Glencorrib LGFA, Mayo

Natalie Maguire, Kilmaine LGFA, Mayo

Jill Carolan, Shrule Glencorrib LGFA, Mayo

Patricia Moran, Shrule Glencorrib LGFA, Mayo

Lisa O’Loughlin, Shrule Glencorrib LGFA, Mayo

Ellen Hynes, Four Roads, Roscommon

Anne Marie-Hynes, Four Roads, Roscommon