Two in the running to replace transformative Sarah Keane as OFI president

Sarah Keane, President, Olympic Federation of Ireland. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Two existing board members will contest the election to replace Sarah Keane as president of the Olympic Federation of Ireland at an Extraordinary General Meeting early next month.

Keane has served two four-year terms in the role and cannot seek a third under terms drawn up when the federation underwent a transformation from the old Olympic Council of Ireland which had been headed as president by Pat Hickey for 28 years.

The outgoing president was fundamental to the sea change in the Olympic movement here after the fallout from the Games in Rio de Janeiro. On the board of the OCI/OFI since 201, she will leave big boots to fill in the top role as she continues with the day job as CEO of Swim Ireland.

Moira Aston, the CEO of Canoeing Ireland since 2018, is one of the two candidates in the running. Aston has put together a long career in the sports industry having also spent a dozen years in senior roles with Athletics Ireland.

The other candidate is Lochlann Walsh who has spent 20 years across all levels of sports administration up to that of NGB (national governing body) chair, and has 30 years of experience in commercial leadership roles in large multinationals.

OFI chief executive, Peter Sherrard, will combine his role with a new General Secretary position from the date of elections for the purposes of international representation.

Sarah O’Shea will be unchallenged in her bid to become vice-president and there are six non-officer positions also to be contested at the EGM on December 5th for the four-year period 2025-2029.