Outstanding achievement award for former LGFA CEO Helen O'Rourke

The award winners of the Federation of Irish Sport Industry Awards for 2026 have been announced with full attendance at the College Green Banking Hall. The annual awards provided a national platform where sport, diplomacy, and business converged — showcasing how Ireland can turn global sporting connections into real economic growth.

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Special guest speakers on the night included a keynote address from Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, Minister Charlie McConalogue TD and a fireside chat with Minister for InternationalDevelopment and Diaspora, Minister Neale Richmond TD on “Sport as Ireland’s Global Soft Power”.

A highlight of the evening was a presentation spotlighting previous New Sports Business of the Year Award winners Field of Vision Co-Founder David Deneher. Field Of Vision enriches this experience by merging ADC with tactile technology. Their devices track on-field action and translate it into touch-based feedback, providing a more immersive, all-encompassing experience of the sport.
 
There were 13 award categories in total recognising commercial partnerships, use of communications, innovation, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability.  The highly coveted FIS member awards for Local Sports Partnership of the Year and National Governing Body of the Year went to Meath Local Sports Partnership and Golf Ireland respectively. See below for the full list of winners.

There was much anticipation on the night as the recipient of the prestigious individual honour for Outstanding Achievement & Contribution to Irish Sport was awarded to Helen O’Rourke, for her extraordinary service to Ladies Gaelic Football and to Irish sport over more than three decades. As LGFA President and, for 28 years, Chief Executive Officer, she led the Association through a transformative era of growth, professionalism and national recognition. Under her leadership, membership flourished, landmark partnerships were secured, attendances reached record levels, and the Association successfully navigated unprecedented challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
The KPMG Women in Sport Award recognised Moira Aston who has demonstrated transformational leadership through strategic governance, inclusion, and international influence in paddle sports. Since becoming CEO of Canoeing Ireland in 2018, she has led major modernisation efforts, delivering stronger governance, gender-balanced leadership, and award-winning initiatives.

The Jimmy Magee (ASJI) Sports Coverage of the YearAward was presented to Greg Allen, who joined the RTE radio sports department in 1984, has since become one of the most recognisable and trusted voices in Irish sports broadcasting, from covering multiple World and European Championships, and Olympic Games to reporting on all our Irish Major golfing triumphs.

Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport addressed attendees saying: “The Federation is delighted to host the 9^th annual Irish Sport Industry Awards, recognising and rewarding excellence in the business of sport and entrepreneurship and the immeasurable work being done by our National Governing Bodies in Sport and the National Network of Local Sports Partnerships. 
 
Ireland is a nation where sport and physical activity are deeply woven into our national identity. Today, the Irish sports industry stands as a powerful economic engine, a global innovation hub, and a vital cornerstone of our social fabric. We gather tonight to formally recognise this immense impact and to map out our future through targeted innovation, public-private investment, and unprecedented global connection.
 
Sport a high-return investment in Ireland’s health, economic prosperity, and global diplomatic reputation. By seamlessly merging record government backing with robust corporate sponsorship, and anchoring traditional sporting passion to cutting-edge technology, we guarantee a healthier, more competitive future for all. Together, let us continue to champion, fund, and elevate Irish sport at every level, both here at home and across the globe.”
 
Speaking at the awards Minister McConalogue said; “I would like to extend my congratulations to the Federation of Irish Sport for the hosting of these awards for what is the 9th time, and to also acknowledge and applaud all of those shortlisted. Government understands the significance of sport in Irish life and we are committed to supporting the sporting ecosystem so more people can participate, reap the benefits of sport, and fulfil their potential – from grassroots right up to high performance level.
 
 For Ireland, sport is a powerful point of connection in the community and is a vital cog in the economy where sport and sport-related activities support over 64,000 full-time equivalent jobs, over 2.8% of the overall level of employment in Ireland, stimulates over €3.3 billion in household spending and is worth in excess of €3.7bn (GVA). Furthermore, sport and physical activity are also good for people’s mental and physical health, and it is a valued tool for building communities and relationships, fostering integration and growth.
 
The Irish Sport Industry Awards are an important means of showcasing and celebrating the consistent excellence on display in the sports industry in the country. They are a recognition of the close collaborative relationship between sport and business. Looking across all of the finalists for these awards it is easy to see the incredible range of talent and expertise at play, and it gives an insight into the quality of programmes currently on offer throughout the country, and the drive to improve and innovate.”
 
2026 Irish Sport Industry Awards – Winners
 
Best Commercial Partnership in Sport sponsored by Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership

• FAI and Sky Ireland Bound by Belief

Best Use of Communications Platforms in Sport & Physical Activity sponsored by MWX Media Ltd.

• Badminton Ireland & Sport Narrative AIG VICTOR Irish Open

Best Initiative to Promote Sustainability in Sport sponsored by MyWaste.ie

• Golf Ireland Drive The Green

Best Initiative to Promote Disability in Sport & Physical Activity sponsored by Sport Ireland

• Special Olympics Transforming Lives Through Sport

Best Initiative to Promote Diversity, Equality & Inclusion in Sport & Physical Activity

• Virgin Media, PHD & Diageo Ireland Audio Description (AD), Irish Sign Language (ISL), and inclusive production

Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport & Physical Activity

• Athletics Ireland Girls Squad Programme

Best New Sports Business of the Year

• Sports Impact Technologies 

Best Sports Business of the Year

• Torpey 

Local Sport Partnership of the Year

• Meath Sports Partnership

National Governing Body of the Year sponsored by Marsh Insurance

• Golf Ireland

Individual Award Winners:

• Outstanding Achievement & Contribution to Sport Award, presented by the Federation of Irish Sport Helen O’Rourke, LGFA former CEO
• KPMG Women in Sport Award, sponsored by KPMG Ireland Moira Aston CEO Canoeing Ireland
• Jimmy Magee Sports Coverage of the Year Award, in partnership with the Association of Sports Journalists in Ireland Greg Allen, RTÉ Sport