Meet the 2025-2026 Participants

We heard from some of the participants below:

 

Officiating

Name: Caoimhe Ryan

County: Tipperary

Club: St. Patrick’s LGFC

I applied for Learn to Lead because: Previous participants speak so highly of Learn to Lead and the programme provides excellent opportunities for development both on and off the pitch.

The things I am looking forward to most are: Meeting and connecting with like-minded women and continuing to develop my leadership skills.

 

Name: Emma Fox

County: Kilkenny

Club: Dunnamaggin

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I wanted to advance my skill set in an environment of likeminded people with a love and passion for the game.

The things I am looking forward to most are: Growing as a leader and developing my skills to the highest of standards on and off the pitch

 

Name: Gemma Monahan

County: Meath

Club: Skryne

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I would like to further develop my leadership skills both on and off the pitch!

The things I am looking forward to most are: New opportunities to develop my officiating skills and gaining new experiences.

 

Name: Nicole Leonard

County: Westmeath

Club: Shandonagh

I applied to learn to lead because: I have completed the leadership programme in Leinster and gained great experience. I want to continue building my confidence within the refereeing field

The things I am looking forward to most to: progressing from underage games to more advanced levels. I’m excited to build a strong connection throughout the country.

 

Name: Orla Kavanagh

County: Dublin

Club: Geraldine P Morans

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I wanted to develop my leadership and officiating skills further. I also wanted to challenge myself!

The things I am looking forward to most are: Meeting like-minded people and learning new skills!

 

 

Name: Helen Rice

County: Down

Club: Loughinisland GAC

 

 

 

 

PR/Media

Name: Caroline Hughes

County: Dublin

Club: Man O War

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I had heard a lot of positive feedback on the programme and believe it offers a valuable opportunity to gain insights from others while contributing my own experiences.

The things I am looking forward to most are: Getting the chance to connect with like-minded individuals in similar roles, sharing insights to strengthen our collective impact across female sport and the wider community.

Name: Gráinne Coleman

County: Dublin

Club: Beann Éadair

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I completed the Leading Provincial Females course last year and learnt so much from it; skills that I carried into personal, professional and club life. I am passionate about girls sports and equality and fairness which I believe all clubs have a role to play in and I am hoping the course will help me gain more insights and experience into this. 

The things I am looking forward to most are: Meeting likeminded people and how I can learn from them whilst pushing myself out of my comfort zone to continue to grow and develop.

 

Name: Katrina Stack

County: Kerry

Club: Laune Rangers

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I previously participated in Munster Leading Provincial Female programme and wanted to continue on from that. I want to be a role model for my two young daughters and I’m involved in a growing club, would love to be a role model for club also.

The things I am looking forward to most are: Meeting likeminded women who one goal is to have our girls playing the game and grow the game we all love and volunteer our spare time.

 

Name: Méabh De Búrca

County: Galway

Club: Salthill/Knocknacarra

I applied for Learn to Lead because: The programme has a great reputation. It provides a unique opportunity to learn from such a high calibre of experts and develop off the pitch skills.

The things I am looking forward to most are: Working with the mentors and learning from like-minded peers.

 

Name: Megan Gaughan

County: Roscommon

Club: St Mary’s Tulsk

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I am continuously looking to up skill and further develop skills I learned during the leading provincial females programme last year!!

The things I am looking forward to most are: I am really looking forward to meeting like-minded women. I am looking forward to getting tips and tricks for managing pr and media, in a sport I am hugely passionate about!!

 

Name: Sarah Marley

County: Armagh

Club: Lissummon

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I want to learn from industry leaders. I am particularly passionate about the promotion of women in leadership and indeed our Gaelic games. I believe women are role models and are provided with a unique platform through this course to develop our lead ship skills. I’ve also heard so many great reports about the programme…especially from my sister!
The things I am looking forward to most are: meeting like-minded people who are passionate about Gaelic Games. I’m looking forward to expanding my network and tapping into other participants and speakers’ knowledge.

 

 

Name: Caroline Hughes

County: Dublin

Club: Man O’War

 

 

 

Coaching

Name: Angela Walsh

County: Cork

Club: Inch Rovers

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I am very passionate about coaching ladies football and want to challenge and do something for myself that I really enjoy. I have heard from past participants that it is a fantastic programme so very much looking forward to it.

The things I am looking forward to most are: Meeting likeminded people and delving into the psychology of our sport for the coaches and the players.

 

Name: Judith Sharvin

County: Down

Club: Saul

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I am eager to enhance my skills as a coach. My passion for learning from others motivates me to seek opportunities that challenge me to step outside my comfort zone. Personal growth is essential not only for my development but also for my ability to inspire those I coach, helping them unlock their full potential both on and off the field.

The things I am looking forward to most are: I am excited about the opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals, each bringing their own unique experiences and perspectives. I believe that collaboration and shared learning are vital components of effective leadership. I look forward to the experiences this programme will offer, as they will significantly contribute to my growth as a leader and coach, empowering me to help others become the best versions of themselves.

 

Name: Mary-T McTavish

County: Mayo

Club: Shrule/Glencorrib

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I want to learn more about leadership and more about the skills needed to become a good leader and a good coach. I want to learn how to be a confident leader and I want to learn how I can use these leadership skills in my personal and professional life along with using them to help develop our own club and my own coaching skills.

The things I am looking forward to most are: Meeting likeminded peers who have the same love for LGFA as I do and who want to be pushed outside of their comfort zone. I’m also looking forward to learning from the mentors and course providers and learning how I can develop as a coach.

 

Name: Noreen Wrenn

County: Carlow

Club: Éire Óg

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I am always up for a challenge and this programme excites me. I am very passionate about Ladies Gaelic Football and I am forever grateful for what it has personally given me down through the years. I hope this programme helps me as a coach to instil that passion in others.

The things I am looking forward to most are: Meeting others with a similar passion for the sport and learning from them. I am looking forward to sharing ideas and gaining the confidence and belief in myself as a coach.

 

Name: Siobhan Hickey

County: Galway

Club: Fr Griffins/Eire Óg

I applied to Lead to Learn because: I am hoping it will give me the opportunity to learn new skills in leadership and how to coach effectively, independently and also with other coaches in my club. It is so important as a coach to be able to lead and develop my skills and to pass on what I learn to our younger girls who want to coach in the future.

The things I’m looking forward to: Meeting ladies from different clubs and benefit from their experiences in leadership through coaching and to improve my ability and understanding of how to lead in a fun and safe environment. Also excited to work with fellow coaches and grow and develop by learning new approaches and techniques that will be beneficial to our club.

 

Name: Bláthnaid Tennyson

County: Kildare

Club: Coill Dubh Camogie Club/St Kevin’s GAA Club

I applied to learn to lead because: I have been involved in so many aspects of ladies sport my whole life and I think it is a wonderful opportunity to participate in this specially designed course offering women the chance to further themselves as leaders within the sports they love.

The things I am looking forward to: I am most looking forward to interacting with and working alongside so many amazing sportswomen.  I look forward also to developing my own leadership and coaching style to help our players reach their true potential and hopefully foster in them a lifelong love of sport.

 

 

 

Administration

Name: Eileen Daly

County: Waterford

Club: Tramore LGFC

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I completed the Munster Female Leadership program a few years ago, which I found very beneficial as it allowed me to be more confident and improved my approach to conflict. Reading through the brochure, of what Learn to Lead was all about, I was excited about the possibilities of working with likeminded ladies again and knowing I will grow even stronger as a leader especially to the sport that I’ve always loved, Ladies Gaelic Football! It means a lot to be accepted into a program like this….thank you for running it!

The things I am looking forward to most are: Looking forward to adding to my skill net, to bring back the skills I learn to my club, county and most of all to my daughter and other daughters, sisters, aunts, and friends. We can only move forward by learning from each other.

 

Name: Emma Oliver

County: Armagh

Club: St Peter’s

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I wanted to improve my leadership skills and learn from others to allow me to be an effective county secretary and club committee member. I hope to gain some transferable skills that I can utilise in work. I also wanted to encourage other ladies in my club to take part in LGFA initiatives and to be a positive role model to all the underage players in my club.

The things I am looking forward to most are: meeting new people from across the country with similar interests and learning from them.

 

 

Name: Hannah Caldwell

County: Derry

Club: Limavady

I applied for Learn to Lead because: I want to grow in confidence, to develop my own skills/knowledge and in doing so, help others. I strive on new challenges and this is an amazing opportunity to learn and gain friendships along the way.

The things I am looking forward to most are: My own personal development, meeting other people who are in the same roles as myself and sharing experiences. Setting goals and achieving them.

 

Name: Louise Brady

County: Antrim

Club: Naomh Seamas

I applied for the Learn to Lead Programme because: I completed the Leading Provincial Females Course in Ulster which was a fantastic experience. The course pushed my boundaries and helped me grow significantly in confidence.  I want to continue my development and be a role model for younger females in my club

The things I am looking forward to most are: I am looking forward to this new opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals who share a passion for leadership and personal development.  I am excited to work with a mentor to provide valuable insights that can help prepare me for future challenges and to help me lead by example

 

 

Name: Kathy Butler

County: Leitrim

Club: St Mary’s Kiltoghert

 

 

Name: Valerie Donohue

County: Galway

Club: Claregalway