OFI Athletes’ Commission
Strengthening the Athlete Voice
The OFI Athletes’ Commission (AC) is the independent voice of Ireland’s Olympians a collective of athletes elected by athletes to ensure that real experience shapes every decision within the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI).
It exists to make sure Irish athletes are not only represented but empowered; not only heard, but genuinely listened to. Guided by this purpose, the AC’s mission and vision set out how we serve, support, and strengthen the athlete voice across Team Ireland.
Commission Members
Aifric Keogh
Chair
Billy Dardis
Vice-Chair
Brendan Boyce
Athletics
Elsa Desmond
Luge
Hannah McLoughlin
Hockey
Harry McNulty
Rugby Sevens
Paddy Barnes
Boxing
Roisín Upton
Hockey
Tanya Watson
Diving
OFI Athletes’ Commission Athlete Centred Strategy
Aifric Keogh
Chair
Aifric Keogh is a two time Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist in Rowing from Tokyo 2020. She was elected to the position of Chair of the Athletes’ Commission by her fellow members in 2025 and sits on the Executive Committee of the Olympic Federation of Ireland in that capacity.
Billy Dardis
Vice-Chair
As captain of the Ireland rugby sevens team, Billy Dardis led the squad to their historic first Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Dardis contributed 12 points through six successful conversions, showcasing his pivotal role in the team’s performance.
Beyond the Olympics, his tenure as captain saw Ireland achieve significant milestones, including a bronze medal at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens and a gold medal at the 2023 European Games.
View Billy’s Athlete Profile
Brendan Boyce
Athletics
Brendan Boyce has represented Ireland in three Olympic Games, with his debut at London 2012 where he finished 26th in the 50 km walk.
At Rio 2016, he improved to 19th, and his best Olympic finish came at Tokyo 2020 with an impressive 10th place.
View Brendan’s Athlete Profile
Elsa Desmond
Luge
Elsa Desmond made history at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing by becoming Ireland’s first-ever Olympic luger.
Competing in the women’s singles event, she finished 33rd, marking a significant milestone for Irish participation in the sport.
Desmond, a qualified doctor, balanced her medical studies with her athletic pursuits, often studying between training sessions and competitions.
View Elsa’s Athlete Profile
Hannah McLoughlin
Hockey
Hannah McLoughlin made her Irish senior debut at the age of 18. She was player of the Match in the 2020 Irish Senior Cup final and became a regular in Ireland’s defence during the subsequent seasons.
McLoughlin started her career with Avoca before moving to Loreto and then UCD. She played a key role at penalty corners due to her extensive array of ariels and long passes.
View Hannah’s Athlete Profile
Harry McNulty
Rugby Sevens
Harry McNulty represented Ireland at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
He was a key member of the team during Ireland’s Olympic debut in Tokyo, where they finished tenth.
In Paris, McNulty captained the squad to the quarter-finals, marking a significant achievement for Irish rugby sevens. Following the Paris Olympics, he announced his retirement from international rugby, concluding a distinguished nine-year career with the national team.
View Harry’s Athlete Profile
Paddy Barnes
Boxing
Paddy Barnes, began boxing at the age of eleven and quickly rose through the ranks, representing Ireland in three consecutive Olympic Games.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Barnes secured a bronze medal in the light-flyweight category, a feat he replicated at the 2012 London Olympics, making him the first Irish boxer to win medals at two consecutive Games.
In the 2016 Rio Olympics, he had the honor of being Ireland’s flag bearer during the opening ceremony.
View Paddy’s Athlete Profile
Roisín Upton
Hockey
Róisín Upton made a significant contribution to the Irish hockey team’s Olympic journey.
She was instrumental in Ireland’s historic qualification for their first-ever Olympic appearance in women’s field hockey at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Upton played in all five matches during the tournament, showcasing her skills as a defender and midfielder.
View Roisín’s Athlete Profile
Tanya Watson
Diving
Tanya, whose maternal grandmother hails from Derry, first competed for Ireland in 2018 when she was fifth at the Youth Olympics and seventh in the platform in her European Senior Championship debut.
In 2020 she had two top 10 finishes in FINA Grand Prix and two sixth places in 2020. In 2021 she made the European senior final and only missed making the final of the Diving World Cup in Tokyo by two points where her score in qualifying made her the first Irish female diver to qualify for an Olympic Games.
View Tanya’s Athlete Profile
