DONAL KEARNEY APPOINTED IOG REGIONAL ADVISOR FOR IRELAND

After 12 months as the Institute of Groundsmanship’s (IOG) part-time Education & Development Officer, Ireland, Donal Kearney has now been appointed full-time IOG Regional Adviser, Ireland.

The move is another progressive step in the IOG’s Challenging Perceptions strategy and it complements the recent appointment of Ian Mather Brewster as Regional Advisor for the North. Both are new full-time positions created by the IOG.

As IOG Regional Advisor, Donal’s role as the ‘man on the ground’ for local IOG branches will also involve continual improvement to the current IOG education and training arrangements throughout Ireland.

Accredited with an MSc in Sports Surface Technology, a BSc in Turf Science & Golf Course Management and a Diploma of Sportsturf Management, Donal will also handle the IOG’s research and development programmes, as well as technical issues, liaising closely with the IOG’s Head of Professional Services, Ian Lacy.

Donal brings to the role an extensive background of golf course construction and maintenance, and turfgrass expertise. His job roles in the sports turf sectors began at apprentice level right up to management on some of the finest golf courses in Ireland, the UK and in the USA. His ‘hands-on’ practical experience complements his technical knowledge gained at university, most recently at a Department of Justice rehabilitation project in Dublin with the PACE organisation as Horticultural Instructor.

A keen sportsman and supporter of the G. A. A. – particularly Gaelic football and hurling – Donal says of his new role: “When I was appointed in 2007 as Education & Development Officer, I said then that Ireland’s grounds care professionals are very progressive and there is enormous potential for even further advancement in the industry.

“One year on and nothing has changed! These are very exciting times for the IOG especially in Ireland as it continually implements the developments outlined in its Challenging Perceptions strategy to improve both the professionalism and wider recognition of the industry.”

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organisation representing grounds managers, groundsmen, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects. It also stages the annual IOG SCOTSTURF and IOG SALTEX exhibition, Europe’s leading show for the open space profession. For more information visit www.iog.org

Source: Wildish PR
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