LIFE IN SPORT with Evanne Ní Chuilinn

Bernard Jackman is Evanne's guest in Episode 7.  A former professional rugby player, Bernard has gone on to a successful career in coaching, and beyond.  He was head coach at Grenoble in France and more recently, Dragons in Wales.  He has written an insightful autobiography about his time as a rugby player, and speaks very eloquently about the importance of planning for life after sport.  This weeks' episode is for anyone involved in coaching, at any level - or for current rugby players who are beginning to think about life after retirement.  Bernard completed a Masters in Sports Management at UCD in 2011, is a regular media pundit for live rugby across radio and tv.  Since his top tier coaching days, has carved out a "third career" as an Account Manager, at Refinitiv.

Sinead Gordon is Evanne's guest in Episode 6.  Sinead's career is a rollercoaster ride around the world, where she perfected her trade in Event Management at some of the world's biggest sporting events.   Following a 4 year career at Basketball Ireland, Sinead was appointed Technical Operations Manager for Basketball at the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics.  As well as a number of key roles at various federations and international competitions from Ireland to Azerbaijan, Sinead was Operations Manager for the Invictus Games in Sydney, and Event Director for the European Para Swimming Championships in 2018.  She speaks in detail about the reality of life on the road, making sure venues are competition-ready for elite level athletes. Sinead is now Director of Governance and Strategy at Sport Ireland, and speaks about how good governance lays the foundations for any successful Sports Federation, or organisation.  

This week, Evanne speaks to Team Operations Manager with the British and Irish Lions, Gemma Crowley.  Gemma began her career with Munster Rugby and a Cork LSP, before honing her managerial skills with the Irish Women’s Rugby 7s and also the 15s as they prepared for the 2014 World Cup.  She was a pool Manager for the men’s Rugby World Cup the following year, and then spent a stint with Manchester City.  Gemma has worked for Rugby Travel Ireland for two year and has held two different positions with the Lions across two tours.

Ciaran Gallagher is CEO of Gymnastics Ireland, and a Olympic Federation of Ireland Board member. Ciaran  is a former competitive gymnast, who represented GB at International level. During his time at University, he spent a lot of time and energy coaching younger gymnasts at his club in Belfast. He was originally engaged by Gymnastic Ireland as a consultant, helping to develop a strategic plan to reorganise the federation. He then spent 3 years as National Development Director before being appointed CEO in 2009.

Evanne speaks to Sinéad Galvin of Galvin Sports Management about her career, which transpiring from marketing and PR to setting up her own agency five years ago. Sinéad represents Ellen Keane, Thomas Barr, Rhys McClenaghan - and a whole host of what she describes as ‘remarkable people”.

Evanne Ní Chuilinn speaks to the CEO of the Welsh Football Association Noel Mooney about his Life in Sport.  What began as a wish to become a professional footballer, Noel's career has taken many turns since, and it's his passion for football which has seen him reach the heights he has.  He recently moved from a role with UEFA, where he was tasked with supporting all of European national associations in their strategic planning - and before that he held a role with the FAI in marketing and supporting League of Ireland football.

Welcome to Season Two of LIFE IN SPORT!! To kick off the second season, Sports Broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn hands the microphone over to a professional Guidance Counsellor and Career Planner, Niamh McCarthy of mycareerplan.ie Niamh speaks to Evanne about her early life in sport, her college education and her journey into the world of Sports Broadcasting from 2004-2021. Enjoy, like and share x

Episode 13   This is the final episode in Series 1 of Life in Sport.   Evanne speaks to Dave McHugh of Line UP Sports about his work managing athletes - a role traditionally referred to as a Sports Agent - Dave prefers to describe it as an athletic-centric management job.  He negotiates contracts, sponsorship deals etc. and draws on a wealth of personal experience as a former elite sailor when representing his clients.

Episode 12   Evanne speaks to Dr. Emma Burrows of Rugby Players Ireland - Emma works as a personal development manager with Leinster Rugby, so her job involves helping elite athletes prepare for life during and after elite sport. She also had a previous role with the PFAI, and has lectured at Waterford IT, DCU and Coláiste Dúlaigh.  Emma is also Assistant Head Coach of the Irish Wolfhounds... our national American Football team!

Evanne speaks to Niamh Tallon, Founder of HerSport.

Episode 10    Evanne speaks to Derek Kinneavey - Communications and Marketing Manager with Paralympics Ireland.

Sports broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn speaks to Jennifer O'Reilly about her role as Head of Commercial Strategy with NIKE Sports Marketing.

Episode 8 - Finally a job sports media!   Broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn speaks to Gaelic Games Journalist Conor McKeon of the Irish Independent.

Episode 7 - Sports Broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn speaks to Deborah Foley about her varied career in Community and NGB Sports. Deborah has worked at Triathlon Ireland and the GAA Handball Association, as well as several Local Sports Partnerships in the midlands and south east of Ireland.  Her current role is Community Development Officer at her local Carlow LSP.

Episode 6 - Evanne speaks to Brendan Moran, Sports Photographer with Sportsfile.  This is a visually engaging episode, as Brendan uses his work to highlight some of his favourite days working in sport.

Sports Law - Sports Broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn speaks to Áine Power - Deputy Legal Director at the International Equestrian Federation.  Áine lives and works in Lausanne, Switzerland, and also sits on UEFA's Ethics and Disciplinary Board.

Sports Physio - Sports broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn speaks to Lauren Guilfoyle about working in sports physio.  Lauren is Head Physio at Cork Con Rugby Club and is also studying for Masters in Sports Psychology.

Sports Analytics - Sports Broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn speaks to Vinny Hammond about his career as Head of Analytics and Innovation at the IRFU.