Greyhound Racing Ireland has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Gerard Dollard, will leave the organisation in September 2021.

Dollard has been CEO since September 2017 and is leaving the organisation to pursue other areas of activity.

He has overseen a turbulent time for the sport coming in shortly after the sale of Harolds Cross Stadium and having to deal with animal rights challenges as well as the commercial impact of Covid-19.

It has not been an easy job by any stretch but he has ensured that the sport came through some of its darkest days and still stands as one of the major sports in the country.

It is uncertain when spectators will return to stadia but on the commercial side the sport has recently signed a major extension with BoyleSports to support the Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park.

Prior to joining Greyhound Racing Ireland in 2017, Dollard had spent a 35-year career in the local authority sector in Limerick and Clare.

‘I have seen first-hand over the last four years the passion and interest that exists across the country for the sport of greyhound racing,” said Dollard announcing his decision.

“I feel, however, the time is now right to look at a new chapter in my career and take the opportunity to pursue other areas of interest. I look forward to continuing the job of work over the coming months and progressing a number of initiatives before departing RCÉ in September next.”

“The past four years have been a challenging time for Greyhound Racing Ireland and the wider greyhound industry,” added Chair Frank Nyhan.

“The Board would like to acknowledge Gerard’s contribution during what has been a period of great change for us and the industry generally and wish him well for the future. The Board will immediately take steps to progress the recruitment process for a new CEO.”

A similar process of recruitment is currently underway for Horse Racing Ireland where current CEO Brian Kavanagh will later this year be exiting to take up the reins as CEO of the Curragh racecourse.

 

Greyhound Racing Ireland is among the 250+ members of the Sport for Business network of sporting and business organisations working together across a number of key areas.

 

Sport for Business Partners