The Ladies Gaelic Football Association has honoured 22 graduates from the fourth edition of its ‘Learn to Lead’ Female Leadership Programme, marking the culmination of the 2025/2026 course at a ceremony in Dublin last weekend.
The graduation event took place at the Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport on February 14th, following a final Leadership Day that brought the latest cohort together to reflect on their journey through the programme.
Launched in 2019, ‘Learn to Lead’ was devised to develop the next generation of female leaders within Ladies Gaelic Football. Delivered by experts across coaching, officiating, administration and PR/Media, the initiative combines practical learning with leadership development over four days and six evening sessions.
Six participants were initially selected for each of the four strands, with 22 completing the programme, representing clubs and counties across all four provinces. The course examined diverse leadership skills while focusing on the specific techniques and competencies required to excel in each discipline.
Proceedings were overseen by LGFA President Trina Murray and National Development Manager Lyn Savage, with Joan Kehoe, Founder and CEO of Alchelyst, delivering the keynote address at the graduation ceremony. The final day of formal content was delivered by Pedro Angulo, Head of Team Effectiveness at AIB, and Niamh McElwain, founder of The Hybrid Way.
Presenting commemorative medallions to the graduates, Murray praised the dedication and ambition shown by participants.
“I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all participants who have successfully graduated from the LGFA’s 2025/2026 Learn to Lead Female Leadership programme,” she said. “This initiative continues to play a vital role in empowering women across our Association by equipping them with the confidence, skills, and networks needed to step into leadership roles both on and off the field.”
She added that leadership remains central to the continued growth of Ladies Gaelic Football, with programmes such as Learn to Lead helping to build a strong pipeline of capable and motivated leaders for the future.
“These graduates are not only investing in themselves but also in their clubs, counties, and communities, helping to create inclusive and supportive environments where everyone can thrive,” Murray said.
The graduates spanned four strands:
In Administration: Emma Oliver (St Peter’s, Armagh), Eileen Daly (Tramore, Waterford), Hannah Caldwell (Limavady Wolfhounds, Derry) and Louise Brady (Naomh Seamas, Antrim).
In Coaching: Angela Walsh (Inch Rovers, Cork), Bláthnaid Tennyson (Coill Dubh Camogie/St Kevin’s GAA, Kildare), Siobhan Hickey (Fr Griffin’s Éire Óg, Galway), Judith Sharvin Cunningham (Saul, Down), Mary T McTavish (Shrule/Glencorrib, Mayo) and Noreen Wrenn (Éire Óg, Carlow).
In Officiating: Caoimhe Ryan (St Patrick’s, Tipperary), Emma Fox (Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny), Gemma Monahan (Skryne, Meath), Helen Rice (Loughlinisland GAC, Down), Orla Kavanagh (Geraldine P Morans, Dublin) and Nicole Leonard (Shandonagh, Westmeath).
In PR/Media: Méabh de Búrca (Salthill Knocknacarra, Galway), Megan Gaughan (St Mary’s, Tulsk, Roscommon), Grainne Coleman (Beann Eadair, Dublin), Sarah Marley (Lissummon, Armagh), Katrina Stack (Laune Rangers, Kerry) and Caroline Hughes (Man O’War, Dublin).
With four successful cohorts now completed, the LGFA’s Learn to Lead programme continues to strengthen female leadership capacity across every level of the Association.
Image Credit: LGFA
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