The Annual first gathering of this year’s cohort from the Sport for Business PwC 30 Under 30 took place from on Friday morning and was an inspiring window on the talent that is working within our sector.

23 of this year’s group were in the country and able to make it to introduce themselves to the group, let us know what they do, where they have come from and where they might be heading in their careers.

Drawn at random to step forward and tell their stories we heard from Heather Downey of Fairyhouse Racecourse, and Tiernan Harris of Squash Ireland, followed by Danielle Murray of the FAI and Sara McFadden of Vision Sports Ireland, Alex Malone of Paralympics Ireland and Hannah Collins of WHPR, Lucianne Killeen and Eoin Byrne of Aer Lingus, Megan Ronan and Ellen Byrne of Sport Ireland, Rachel Cuddy of the IRFU, Emma Butler of Cricket Ireland, Eoin Kelly of Ripple Marketing, Val Sizychas of Ireland Active, Sarah Gelletlie of Electric Ireland, Jim Flanagan, the voice of Leinster Rugby as part of his new freelance career, Jack McCarney of the GAA, Anouk Espiasse of Leinster Rugby, Rory Cassidy of Athletics Ireland, Sophie Doolan of the IABA, Sarah Murphy of Titan Experience, Daniel Cleary of Shamrock Rovers and Eliana Benevento of Croke Park.

Each told their story with confidence and it was one of those mornings where the phones went unchecked and the focus on the speakers was absolute.

We spoke with Gary Stewart, newly appointed CEO of The Irish Boxing Association and Ellen McConville of Teneo as alumni of previous years, both speaking of the impact the recognition had and the potential for always being there to help as a group in years to come.

Chloe Farrell of Fingal Local Authority, Stephen Gallagher of Raiola, Jamie Blanchfield of Cycling Ireland, Clara O’Brien of Rowing Ireland, Jordan Kochanski of Ogier, Garry Tyler of Clubspot and Luiseach Alexander of Verve weren’t able to make it on Friday but we will catch up with them later in the year.

Next up for the group will be their adding to a Linked In Group of those that have preceded them and a short series of podcast interviews that we can share with the wider Sport for Business community.

We will gather at the end of the summer for a social gathering and who knows where else the connections forged by their inclusion in the group will lead.

The 2026 30 under 30 will open for nominations in February next year and be published for a tenth time over the course of March into May.

 

 

Further Reading for Sport for Business members:

Check out the full list of this year’s Sport for Business PwC 30 Under 30

 

SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

This is a network that has proven its worth to those involved many times over and this year’s additions are as strong as they have ever been.

WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Other events for the wider group, including a Linked In Group and a short series of Podcast interviews are planned for later in the year.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS

PwC are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community, which includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.  

Find out more about becoming a member today.

Get the full benefit of a Sport for Business membership by joining us at one of our upcoming events, where sporting and business leadership come together.

Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.

Sign up for our News Bulletins here.