Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane To Step Down In February 2026 To Take Up Cricket Role
Swim Ireland Chief Executive Officer Sarah Keane will step down from her role in February 2026, to take up the position of CEO at Cricket Ireland.
Keane’s departure marks the end of a 21-year period of leadership, starting in 2004. A press release from the governing body stated: “Swim Ireland has been fundamentally reshaped, establishing itself as a leading national governing body in Irish sport. Her tenure has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence, immense drive and a real passion for governance every step of the way. This has led to many successes for Swim Ireland and culminated in a record-breaking era for Irish aquatics. This includes an impressive haul of European, World, and Olympic medals, most notably the historic Olympic medals won by Daniel Wiffen and Mona McSharry at the Paris 2024 Games.”
Keane oversaw the launch by the Government of the first National Swimming Strategy last year with a particular focus on infrastructure, outdoor and indoor swimming and the continued recognition of swimming as the second most popular sport for adults in Ireland. Keane also spearheaded initiatives for female leadership as well as promoting inclusivity across the sport.
Swim Ireland nominated and supported Keane to become the first female President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, a role to which she was elected in February 2017. She also serves on the boards of European and World Aquatics.
Keane is committed to appointing a new Performance Director to succeed Jon Rudd – who left in May 2025 for a role in Saudi Arabia – before her departure.
She said: “Leading Swim Ireland for the past 21 years has been an absolute dream come true. It has been an immense privilege to work alongside such excellent board members, dedicated and extremely talented staff, coaches, athletes, and volunteers who share a passion and ambition for Irish aquatics. I have had so many incredible experiences and learnings as together we have sought to face the challenges and grow the sport and the organisation to enable enhanced grassroots participation, great clubs with our athletes achieving historic feats like Daniel Wiffen’s Olympic gold in Paris.
“It is up to us as sports administrators to build an organisation and system to support others to thrive and the wider professionalism of the organisation has been a massive highlight of my professional life. I am committed to continuing to complete certain important matters within Swim Ireland including the appointment of the next National Performance Director for the organisation and to support the Board and the staff in the transition. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and I leave with the deepest gratitude for the support and commitment of everyone in the Swim Ireland community. I am also incredibly grateful for the support of the Government, Department, Sport Ireland, Sport NI, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland and many others in Irish sport who have helped Swim Ireland and me personally on this journey so far. I am fully confident that the organisation and the people in it are in a strong position for upward continued success.”
