Sean McDonnell

Sport with Business

Sligo

Sean McDonnell is International Operations Manager FAI, here he talks to us about his experience of studying Sport with Business at our Sligo campus.

What was your most memorable moment during your studies:

Not really a moment, but the connections I made during the course have become some of my closest friends. This course provides so much more than just lectures in a classroom, the practical elements of the course (Swimming, surfing, outdoor recreation, etc) provide a holistic space where you can get much closer to your classmates than you would in any normal setting.

How the course helped you and what did you enjoy during your studies?

I thought I wanted to be a PE teacher when first starting the course. By the time I graduated my focus had completely changed. Throughout the course I realised there was other opportunities to work within the sporting field in Ireland. I found that I was quite good at the business side of the course and could see myself in a sporting organisation/sport partnership area as a career. The course gave me the confidence to go and seek out them opportunities and build a career in the sports business area.

 What are you working on now?

I am the International Operations Manager for the Football Association of Ireland. My role is varied, I have overall responsibility for the delivery of all international football camps of our 11 core teams, men’s U15 – U21 & senior national team, women’s U16 – U19 & senior national team, while also the team manager for the senior men’s national team. I manage a staff of 15, who look after the day-to-day operations of the underage and senior teams as well as our kit and equipment team.

What are your Current and Future Goals?

* Qualify for major tournaments. Our goal is to deliver a high-quality service levels to maximise the output of international teams.
* Deliver operationally for Euro 28. Ireland is hosting so it would be another milestone in my personal development to be part of the operations for the team competing at a home tournament.
* Continue to deliver international football at all ages to the highest standard.