Last weekend Bernard Brogan was hoisting Sam Maguire and celebrating his and Dublin’s fourth All Ireland triumph in six years.
Within hours though he was back at work with Legacy Consultants and out promoting the Federation of Irish Sport Industry Awards that are entering their own second year after a strong start.
Sport for Business caught up with Brogan to ask his views on the challenges between club and county in the GAA and the importance of the Awards.
SfB: Congratulations on the All Ireland, how long did the celebrations last?
Bernard Brogan: “Celebrations finished on Monday night for the Dublin lads but we were back in club training on Tuesday and into action in the B Championship in Dublin at the weekend.”
“It’s tough after a long year but the extra two weeks with the replay meant there could be no break.”
St Oliver Plunketts / Eoghan Rua won at the weekend, posting a comfortable victory in the Senior B Championship.
SfB: What did you make of the GAA Proposals in the summer that the Championships could be restructured to find more time for clubs?
BB: “I definitely think both finals should be pulled back into August.”
“Asking clubs to play big games in October when pitches are getting slower is unfair.”
“The traditional third Sunday in September needs to be looked at and we might also consider the Saturday night dynamic that we had in the replay.”
“It gave a great build up for the game and a chance to recover for an extra day. I think that could certainly be considered for more games as well.”
SfB: On the Sport Industry Awards what is it that made you an advocate of bringing these to life?
BB: “The main thing I like about the Awards is giving credit to those who are investing time, energy and money in making sport better here.”
“The industry employs 40,000 people here and can make a massive impact in areas that are crucial for the future of Ireland such as obesity.”
“There is always a great celebration of the high profile winners but this is an opportunity for those who are doing great things away from the spotlight, like Sport for Business.”
“It’s about some of the smaller sports as well and the value that they bring to the people that are involved.”
“Community involvement is a massive element of sport and we want these awards to provide a boost and a recognition that would otherwise not be there.”
“We are extending this years awards to encompass Local Sports Partnerships around the country and the great work they are doing.”
The winners of the awards will be determined by an experienced and knowledgeable judging panel drawn from the business and sports communities including:
- Cliona O’ Leary, Deputy Head of TV Sport, RTE;
- Rob Hartnett, CEO, Sport for Business;
- Russell Murphy, Founder & Owner, BSI Entertainment
- Maeve Buckley, Director, Line Up Sports.
- Roddy Guiney, Chairman of Wilson Hartnell and Federation of Irish Sport Board Member;
- Fiona Coghlan, former Ireland women’s rugby captain and Chairperson, Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership,
- Ian Hyland, CEO & Publisher, Business and Finance media group
- Sean O’ Connor, Chief Operations Officer of last year’s winner of the established sports business award, Statsports.
There are thirteen award categories touching on the many diverse elements that make up the Irish sports industry and include recognition for established and emerging sport businesses, the best sports participation event, best international sports event hosted in Ireland, best sponsorship campaigns, best sports journalist, best use of social media by a sports business, best corporate social responsibility initiative, best innovation in sport, NGB of the year, best LSP initiative and a lifetime achievement/outstanding contribution award.
The closing date for entries is Thursday, 20th October 2016. You can learn more and submit a nomination here.
The awards will be held on Thursday 10th November at The Round Room, The Mansion House.
