Officers

Ainm/Name: Michael Geoghegan

Ról/Position: Uachtarán Chomhairle Uladh

Seoladh ríomhphoist/Email: chairperson.ulster@gaa.ie

Cúlra club/Club Background: Born in Cavan Town, Michael’s family were involved with the Drumalee club before moving to Castleblayney where Michael played U16, Minor, U21 and Junior Football for Castleblayney Faughs. After getting married in 1983 Michael moved to Middletown, Co Armagh, where he joined the local club and played Junior & Senior football for Eoghan Rua, and also served on the club committee and became involved in fundraising.

Administration/Ulster Council: In 2003 Michael started stewarding at County level, then at Provincial and National level, where he has been involved since. In 2011 Michael became a member of Armagh’s fundraising committee and was elected Vice-Chairman of Armagh County Committee in 2013. In 2015 he was elected as the Armagh delegate to the Ulster Council and was also appointed to the Central Competitions Control Committee.

In 2016 he took up the position of Ulster GAA Public Relations Officer and served in this role until January 2019, and then served as Ulster GAA Treasurer until January 2022. He is also a member of the National Hearings Committee and the National Games for All Committee.

Ainm/Name: Brian McAvoy

Ról/Position: Rúnaí Chomhairle Uladh

Seoladh ríomhphoist/Email: brian.mcavoy.ulster@gaa.ie

Rólanna sa chlub/Club Roles: Brian, who is a member of St. Mary’s GAC, Burren, is a former secretary of the Down County Committee and is a highly experienced GAA official.

Administration/Ulster Council: A civil servant by profession, Brian has worked at the heart of government affairs in recent years and has served as Principal Information Officer in a number of government departments including The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

As Provincial Secretary, Brian is also the Provincial Director and CEO of Ulster GAA. His responsibilities include servicing the Ulster GAA Council, acting as head of staff and implementing Executive decisions when appropriate. Brian represents Ulster GAA at all meetings with public bodies and also sits on the National GAA Executive Committee and other Sub Committees.

Ainm/Name: Declan Woods

Ról/Position: Leas Uachtarán Chomhairle Uladh

Seoladh ríomhphoist/Email: vicechairperson.ulster@gaa.ie

Rólanna sa chlub/Club Roles: Declan is a member of the Killeshandra Leaguers Club where he played at under age level. He coached and managed teams for his club at U12, U14 and U16 levels and was also a member of the senior management team who captured a league title in 1997.

Administration/Ulster Council: Declan’s first dalliance with administration was as a county board delegate substitute before being appointed Club Chairperson at 25 years of age. A member of Cavan County Board management committee for 19 years (1999–2018) holding the positions of Youth Officer, Development Officer, PRO and Ulster Council Representative. Declan was also the first Chairperson of Club Breffni, Cavan’s primary fundraising arm. During his term as PRO Declan received both Provincial and National Gaelic Writers’ awards.

From 2018 to 2021, Declan held the role of Ulster PRO, during which time he served as Chairperson of National GAA’s IT & Communications committee.

Ainm/Name: Michael McArdle

Ról/Position : Cisteoir Chomhairle Uladh

Seoladh ríomhphoist/Email: treasurer.ulster@gaa.ie

Rólanna sa chlub/Club Roles: Michael is a member of the St Patrick’s GAA Club Drumgath, where he played at underage and Senior level.

Administration/Ulster Council: Twice Chairperson of his Club for total of 14 years, Michael has been a member of the Down GAA Management Committee for the past 12 years holding the positions of Divisional Chairperson, Ulster Council Delegate and Central Council Delegate. Michael was also a member of the Ulster GAA Finance Committee and is a former Chairperson of the Ulster GAA Club Planning and Development Committee.

Ainm/Name: Garrett Coyle

Ról/Position: Oifigeach Cumarsáide Chomhairle Uladh

Seoladh ríomhphoist/Email: communications.ulster@gaa.ie

Rólanna sa chlub/Club Roles: Garrett represented the St. Oliver Plunketts club in Drogheda, captaining the club to its first Minor Division 1 Championship success.  Since moving to Monaghan he has been a member of the Emyvale club.

Administration/Ulster Council:

A PE teacher at St. Macartan’s College Monaghan since 2001, he has managed both schools and senior club teams to multiple successes, including a Rannafast Cup (2014) and several Club Championship titles. He also managed the Monaghan minors (2015–2016) and spent seven years in Monaghan’s senior backroom team under Malachy O’Rourke.  A co-founder of the TY GAA Future Leaders Programme (2016), he helped expand it to over 350 schools.

Garrett has served on Monaghan’s County Executive for 13 years and held key Ulster and national committee roles, including Chair of Ulster Coaching & Games (2021–2024) and member of the National Coaching & Games Committee (2020–2024).

Uachtarain Comhairle Uladh: 1903-present

Leas Uachtaráin: 1903 – present

Cisteóiri: 1923 – present

Oifigigh Chaidrimh Phoiblí/Oifigigh Cúmarsaid: 2001 – present

Runaithe: 1903 – 2023