Staff Profiles
Directors Office
Corporate Services
Coaching Services
Player/Athlete Services (now part of the Irish Institute of Sport)
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Michael McGeehin , Director
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Michael joined Coaching Ireland as Director in April 2006. Prior to this he led the Donegal Sports Partnership from its inception to the successful completion of its first strategy. Michael is a P.E. Graduate from the University of Limerick and had a successful career in the army retiring at the rank of commandant. Michael is also a master tutor with the Ulster Council G.A.A. He is also a vastly experienced coach having coached a number of Inter County Teams including Mayo, Fermanagh, Roscommon, Laois and Clare. Michael also coached Finn Harps F.C.
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Olivia Sweeney , Personal Assistant
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Olivia works as PA to the Director on a job-share capacity. She is responsible for providing administrative support to the Director, Michael McGeehin and is Executive Secretary to Coaching Ireland Board of Management. A native of Tipperary, Olivia joined Coaching Ireland in November 1997. |
Deirdre Morrissey, Personal Assistant
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Deirdre works as PA to the Director. She has been employed by Coaching Ireland since the Centre opened in August 1991. After taking a 5 year career break, she returned to Coaching Ireland on a job-share basis with Olivia Sweeney. Deirdre is a native of Co Limerick and enjoys walking, running and attending local and inter-county hurling fixtures. |
Corporate Services
Sheelagh Quinn, Head of Corporate Services
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Sheelagh is the Head of Corporate Services and has responsibility for the following areas within Coaching Ireland; Communication, Media, PR, Sponsorship, Information Technology, Income Generation, Event Management and Administration. As part of the Management Team she contributes to policy and specific technical projects including LISPA and LTPAD. Prior to joining Coaching Ireland team in 1997 Sheelagh worked in the leisure and sports industry managing Loughlinstown Leisure Centre and working as a Sports Development Officer in Northern Ireland. Sheelagh has a masters (MSc) in Sports, Leisure and Exercise from the University of Ulster and a masters (MBA) in Corporate Business Administration from the University of Limerick. |
Niall Collins, I.T. Administrator
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In this role Niall is responsible for developing and maintaining Coaching Ireland's computer and communications infrastructure. Currently Niall is involved in the upgrading of Coaching Ireland's coaching database and website. He is also responsible for developing Coaching Ireland's online learning platform and managing Coaching Ireland's National Coaching and Tutor database.
Niall is a graduate of UL (B.B.S) and Griffith College Dublin (PGrad Computer Science), as well as holding C.C.N.A and C.C.A.I certifications. Outside of work Niall is a keen triathlete and runner and has competed successfully nationally in both disciplines. |
Sharon Deedigan, Office Co-Ordinator/Administrator
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Sharon works as the Office coordinator on a job-share basis with Ann McMahon and also provides administrative support to the Coaching Services Department. Sharon joined Coaching Ireland as a Receptionist/Secretary in August 1997. In July 1998 she took up the position of Office Coordinator. Sharon is currently on leave. |
Ann McMahon, Office Co-Ordinator/Administrator
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Ann joined the team in November 2004. As Corporate Services Administrator/ job share office coordinator her responsibilities include, providing an event management service to both internal and external clients, coordination of administrative services including Tutor Development Courses and Assimilation applications and updating Coaching Ireland's Coaching Database.
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Niamh Slevin, Administrative Assistant Finance
Niamh joined the Administration team in July 1999 after graduating from HSI Limerick with a diploma in Office Information Systems. Niamh works as Accounts Assistant which involves processing of all invoices, payments and lodgment's and Carding Administrator dealing with carded athletes and service providers. Niamh is currently on maternity leave. |
Elizabeth Stundon, Administrative Assistant
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Elizabeth works as an administrative assistant for Corporate Services and predominately works in the provision of services for athletes. Elizabeth is currently on a career break.
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Helen Quain, Receptionist
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Helen is the most recent addition to the team and works primarily as the receptionist for Coaching Ireland. Helen is also in charge of inputting all coaching course information on the National Coaching Database.
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Coaching Services
Declan O'Leary, Head of Coaching Services
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Declan who is Head of Coaching Services oversees a team of six Coach Education Officers and their administrative support team. The team works in developing coaching best practices and materials, supporting National Governing Bodies in rolling out the Coaching Development Programme of Ireland and in supporting coaches in their work with the children, players and athletes they coach. He has a MSc in sport and exercise science, a BA in Physical Education and has previously worked with the IRFU and as a PE teacher. His current work includes developing the CDPI Third Cycle, overseeing the piloting of a revised CDPI Level 3 Course, representing Coaching Ireland at European Coaching Committee meetings, revision of the CDPI core syllabus and working with a range of national governing bodies in the CDPI. |









