logo
New Paralympics Ireland president pledges to ‘strengthen voice and visibility' of para sports

New Paralympics Ireland president pledges to ‘strengthen voice and visibility' of para sports

Irish Post20-05-2025
LISA CLANCY has vowed to create an environment where Irish para athletes can 'thrive' as she takes up the role of president at Paralympics Ireland.
Clancy was elected to the role following a vote held at the organisation's Annual General Meeting (AGM), which took place in person in Dublin this month.
Newly elected Paralympics Ireland president Lisa Clancy
Having served as vice-president at the organisation since 2021, Clancy now succeeds Eimear Breathnach, who has completed her four-year term at the helm of the organisation which represents, prepares and manages Ireland's paralympians.
Clancy takes on the role as the organisation prepares to build a team for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
'It is an incredible honour to be elected President of Paralympics Ireland,' Clancy said.
'I am deeply passionate about creating an environment where our Para athletes can thrive,' she added.
'I look forward to working alongside our athletes, staff, and partners to continue strengthening the voice and visibility of Paralympic sport in Ireland.'
In a statement Paralympics Ireland said Clancy 'brings decades of leadership experience in Irish sport and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and athlete-centred development'.
'Her appointment marks a new chapter for the organisation as it builds towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games,' they added.
Former president Eimear Breathnach (l) with Lisa Clancy
Clancy is noted for her contributions to sports governance in Ireland, including her leadership role in launching the Women in Sport Leadership Programme.
Paralympics Ireland has also elected two new Vice Presidents, Lorcan Claffey and Patrice Dockery.
'Paralympics Ireland also wishes to extend its deepest thanks to outgoing President Eimear Breathnach for her dedication and leadership,' the organisation added.
'Under Breathnach's tenure, the organisation saw growth in athlete participation, improved governance standards, and heightened public awareness of Paralympic sport across the country.'
They added: 'With Clancy now officially in post, Paralympics Ireland looks forward to a vibrant and impactful next phase of development under her leadership.'
See More: Lisa Clancy, Paralympics Ireland, President
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kerry ‘needs to sell itself' to Ryder Cup market
Kerry ‘needs to sell itself' to Ryder Cup market

Irish Independent

time41 minutes ago

  • Irish Independent

Kerry ‘needs to sell itself' to Ryder Cup market

With individual homeowners in Kerry already advertising accommodation to golf tourists ahead of the event, the call for Kerry County Council (KCC) to start putting Kerry on the map as a destination was made by Fine Gael Councillor Angie Baily at a recent Tralee MD meeting. The view is being spearheaded by Kerry's close proximity to the Adare Manor in County Limerick where the competition between the USA and Europe takes place in September 2027. So far, close to 110,000 people have registered their interest in attending the event. It's estimated the Ryder Cup will result in a €100 million boost to the Irish economy, while government is likely to spend over €60 million as part of preparatory work for the golf classic. Cllr Baily asked KCC for updates on the marketing campaign for the Ryder Cup, and what the expected footfall in Kerry is likely to be. She further asked what plans are in place so Tralee – as the county capital – can effectively capitalise on the event. 'With Kerry, we're pushing well above our weight. I think this is something we can hugely benefit from. But there will be a massive shortfall in accommodation,' she said. 'I just feel we need to start plugging ourselves and selling ourselves to the market of those people who will be coming here and to get a nice slice of the in excess of a quarter of a billion economic boost for Kerry, and the long term benefits for building tourist relations,' Cllr Baily added. KCC said its tourism unit is working with Tourism Ireland's golf division to ensure Kerry is well positioned as a premier golf and holiday destination, particularly in the US, UK, and European markets. The council's tourism unit confirmed advertising within the Spirit of Ireland – a North American travel magazine with a distribution of 100,000 and 2,500 tour operators. Its autumn 2025 edition will feature a dedicated focus on golf, helping to raise awareness of Kerry's world-class courses and associated offerings. 'Discussions are ongoing with local groups including Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, the Irish Hotels Federation, and Fáilte Ireland to ensure the county is well prepared to maximise opportunities arising from the Ryder Cup,' said KCC management. 'This collaboration aims to ensure that tourism providers across Kerry are ready to welcome and accommodate the increased demand and will include discussion with Tralee Chamber Alliance.' The Ryder Cup is one of the sport's premier competitions that has not taken place in Ireland since 2006.

Lions call on former captain Martin Johnson for second Test inspiration
Lions call on former captain Martin Johnson for second Test inspiration

RTÉ News​

timean hour ago

  • RTÉ News​

Lions call on former captain Martin Johnson for second Test inspiration

If anyone can give this British and Irish Lions squad a sense of what to expect on Saturday, it's Martin Johnson. The former England head coach and captain was skipper when the Lions came to Melbourne in 2001 off the back of an impressive first Test win, only for the Wallabies to emphatically level the series. Four years earlier, Johnson was also captain of the great 1997 side, who clinched the series with a game to spare against the Springboks at Kings Park in Durban. And as the Lions look to make their own piece of history at the Melbourne Cricket Ground tomorrow, it was appropriate for the former captain to come in and pass on some words of wisdom. Johnson presented the squad with their jerseys ahead of Saturday's MCG Test, and spoke to the squad about what to expect, as someone who has been through both the highs and lows of Lions' tours. "The room was completely quiet for the whole time he was there and spoke. There were guys just staring up at him," scrum coach John Fogarty (below) said of Johnson's presentation. "He talked a bit about the Lions series they won [1997] and the Lions series they lost [2001] and the difference in either. "He spoke about how in the biggest games the fundamentals are incredibly important. There's going to be errors but not compounding errors on errors is a huge part of winning big games. It was really cool. "Maro [Itoje] asked him a question or two and then he handed out the jerseys. It has been such a privilege this whole journey to have someone like him come in and talk to the lads was another privilege. It's cool. Some of the current squad Henry Pollock, Fin Smith and Jamie Osborne weren't even born when Johnson captained the Lions on that 2001 tour, while many others were yet to even be walking or talking 24 years ago. However, Fogarty said the significance of having Johnson in camp wasn't lost on the younger crop. "They knew who he was for sure. "There was a bit of contemplation and reflection after he talked, which is a good thing. It is what you want. You don't just want to turn around and get your dinner. "There was a bit of thinking and there were conversations, but it was a quiet room because they wanted to listen to a guy they see as an icon. It was pretty cool. "He said it is the smallest of margins in the biggest of games [that matter]. "The error bit, what he is talking about there is being able to get back to neutral and talking about being in the moment. All that stuff is difficult when you're playing in front of 95,000 people in a stadium as iconic as this." While Johnson's game for the Lions in Melbourne in 2001, and the 2013 Melbourne Test, were both across town at the Docklands – now Marvel – Stadium, tomorrow's game will be played in a much grander setting, where an estimated 90,000 supporters will be packed into the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground. The MCG was looking spectacular on Friday afternoon as Fogarty spoke to the media pitchside, less than 24 hours after an AFL game on the same pitch between Hawthorn and Carlton. And the Lions assistant was blown away by the size and history of the venue. "What a stage, what a game it's going to be. "I have never watched cricket, never seen the game, we didn't play it when we were kids so I hadn't got a clue [about the MCG]. "Andy [Farrell] has been telling us: 'Wait until you see this'. When he got back from doing a recce he was 'Oh my God, this stadium, that stadium' but nothing landed until we walked out. "My brother Denis is over and he came to the game last night and was telling me it was going to be some stadium to play in, it is an amazing place. "I remember the first time I walked out to Croke Park when I was a kid and I was 'Oh God, look at this' so when we walked out you could see a lot of us looking around and going 'Jesus, this is bigger than anything we have been in before'. "Certainly for me it is bigger than anything I have been in before, it is an unbelievable privilege to be here, I know have said it a couple of times but I mean it. I feel unbelievably lucky, and the players are the same, to be able to do this stuff. It is not normal." There may be temptation to approach the game from a cold perspective, but Fogarty wants the players to embrace the occasion of playing a Lions Test in one of the world's most famous sporting venues. "You've got to lean in a little bit, don't you? "The boys are going to be building to 8pm, so we need to simmer away tomorrow so that we're at the right level when we arrive here and then we can hit the ground running and do things properly. "We're expecting an absolute battle, a war. But when you come here it makes it a bit more special because you understand what it's going to be like a little bit. "All the little things will matter tomorrow." Meanwhile, the Lions have confirmed that Ewan Ashman, Gregor Brown, Rory Sutherland and Darcy Graham have returned home after they were drafted in on a temporary basis to help with Tuesday's fixture against the First Nations and Pasifika XV. Irish pair Thomas Clarkson and Jamie Osborne remain with the squad.

‘Playing with the Lions is like the Olympics' – Nick Popplewell on being part of last amateur touring side
‘Playing with the Lions is like the Olympics' – Nick Popplewell on being part of last amateur touring side

Irish Independent

time3 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

‘Playing with the Lions is like the Olympics' – Nick Popplewell on being part of last amateur touring side

The former Irish International, who toured New Zealand with the Lions in 1993, says only the test matches matter Proud Wexford man Nick Popplewell, has been in the property industry with Sherry Fitzgerald Radford for the best part of a quarter of a century. Before that he was one of Ireland's greatest amateur athletes. In 1993 he was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, where he played in all three test matches. That year, the Lions lost the series 2-1, but Nick became the only Irishman to play on a victorious team against New Zealand since 1978, a record he held until 2016, when Ireland finally did beat New Zealand in Chicago.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store