The Football Association of Ireland today (Tuesday) announced the appointment of Sarah O’Shea as deputy CEO.
Ms O’Shea is currently the Association’s Director of Legal Affairs, a role she retains while taking on additional duties as deputy to the CEO, John Delaney.
Commenting on the appointment today, Delaney said: “Since Sarah’s appointment in 2006 she has made a substantial contribution to the management team. She has been an excellent legal director, establishing the legal department and reforming the Association’s disciplinary processes”.
“As the governance and administrative needs of the game change, the FAI continues to adapt its structures and Sarah’s appointment is part of that process. Sarah brings her considerable skillsets to the role as deputy CEO, and her appointment will enhance the management structure as the Association continues to develop all strands of the game”.
Sarah O’Shea said that she was looking forward to the challenge ahead; “We are embarking on another important phase for Irish football and I am keen to play a valuable role, particularly in the administrative and organisational aspects of the Association as deputy to the CEO.”
President Paddy McCaul added, “As current company secretary of the Association, a member of UEFA’s Hat Trick committee and Chairperson of the Federation of Irish Sport, Sarah is a highly respected figure in sport in Ireland and further afield.” He added, “Sarah has worked very closely and successfully with the Board of the Association and the grass roots and on behalf of the Board and our members, I wish her every success”.
Sarah O’ Shea is a qualified solicitor (2000) and a graduate of the FIFA Masters programme (2006). She joined the Association in 2006 and currently holds responsibility for all legal and disciplinary matters, governance issues, contracts, child welfare and football regulations.
She was appointed Company Secretary in September 2010 and was appointed to UEFA’s Hat Trick Committee in July 2011. She became Chairperson of the Federation of Irish Sport in January 2013 and a panel member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in September 2013.