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DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland has today confirmed that Sarah Keane has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer designate and will take over the helm in March 2026.

This landmark decision not only ushers in a new era for Irish cricket but also marks a significant moment in global sport, as Sarah Keane becomes the first female CEO of an International Cricket Council (ICC) Full Member nation.

Following an extensive and highly competitive recruitment process, the Board of Cricket Ireland unanimously ratified Keane’s appointment, recognising her unparalleled track record of transformative leadership and strategic vision across Irish and international sport.

Keane brings an extraordinary wealth of experience to Cricket Ireland. She is currently one of the longest-serving and successful CEOs in Irish Sport, having led Swim Ireland since 2004. Under her 21-year tenure, Swim Ireland underwent a remarkable transformation, achieving its best-ever Olympic Games performance in Paris 2024, securing multiple World and European medals, launching a government-backed groundbreaking National Swimming Strategy with a significant focus on infrastructure, and consistently driving increased participation through innovative programmes.

Her influence extends far beyond aquatics. As President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) from 2017, Sarah was instrumental in reforming the Irish Olympic movement. She successfully navigated the organisation through a post-Rio 2016 crisis, revitalising the OFI, together with a great Board and staff team, to deliver Ireland’s best Olympic Summer Games in 2024. Under her leadership the organisation has developed a successful commercial programme, established a strong Athlete’s Commission and inspirational campaigns like ‘Dare to Believe’, together with the execution of a full rebrand of the OFI, and an unwavering commitment to the athlete voice and welfare together with a clear emphasis on the importance of the experience for Irish athletes and their families. 

Highly influential in Irish sport, Sarah’s extensive network and experience are further evidenced by her roles as a Board member of World Aquatics and European Aquatics, Chair of the European Aquatics DEI Commission, and a past member of several IOC/ANOC Commissions. In 2022 Sarah was appointed as a member of the European Olympic Committee Organising Committee for the European Games 2023 (the biggest multi-sport event to be held in Europe since the 2012 Olympic Games). She contributes to the National Sports Leadership Group and played a key role in the development and delivery of the Inaugural European Under-23 Swimming Championships, the first edition of which took place in Dublin.

Beyond her sporting achievements, Keane is a qualified solicitor with outstanding credentials in corporate management and governance. She serves as a Non-Executive Director of the Central Bank of Ireland, having recently been re-appointed for a second five-year term. An accomplished athlete herself, Sarah is a former National Level Swimmer and international Water Polo player, bringing a deep understanding of high-performance sport from both administrative and participant perspectives.

Speaking on her appointment, Sarah Keane said:

“I am incredibly excited and deeply honoured to become the new CEO of Cricket Ireland and the first female CEO of an ICC Full Member nation. Cricket is a truly global sport, and Ireland now stands on the threshold of tremendous opportunity – from the Olympic opportunity with the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympics, the accelerated development of the women’s game, and the potential of bringing different communities together, to Ireland hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2030. 

“I’m particularly keen to explore further avenues for commercial growth to ensure sustainable investment, and I look forward to supporting the ambitious plans for the development of the National Cricket Centre on the National Sports Campus and the upgrades to vital cricket infrastructure at Malahide, Stormont and others. I am committed to working collaboratively and tirelessly with the Board, staff, players, and the entire cricketing community to deliver on those opportunities for Irish Cricket and all involved.“

Brian MacNeice, Chair of Cricket Ireland, said:

“I am thrilled that Sarah is coming on board as our new CEO. Sarah brings a wealth of experience and is one of the most respected leaders in sport nationally and internationally. Her track record speaks for itself. Cricket Ireland is getting a world-class sports administrator and more importantly an individual of the upmost integrity, character and high-performance mindset. Throughout her career she has been an inspirational trailblazer and I am very proud that she will become the first female CEO of a Full Member nation. 

“This is an exciting time for Irish Cricket and Sarah’s appointment will help galvanise and reinvigorate cricket in Ireland. I have been hugely impressed with her grasp of the cricketing landscape at home and on the international stage as well as her vision and passion for what lies ahead. I am confident we have a leader that will maximise our potential as a cricketing nation as we move into the next phase of our journey. I look forward to working with Sarah to ensure we do just that.”

Sarah Keane will officially commence her role as CEO in March 2026, marking a pivotal moment for Cricket Ireland and the broader sporting landscape.