New Bishopstown chairperson looking to continue the great work 

Bishopstown GAA have made great progress on the field in recent years, but they have also made great progress off the field of play.

The city club has a new chairperson in Suzanne O’Sullivan as she succeeded Johnny Crowley in the position back in November with the plan very clear moving forward.

“I am following in great footsteps,” she says.

“We brought in the one-club model in 2019 under the then chairperson Brian Cuthbert. It was followed on by Johnny Crowley. Both developed it really well over the last few years. Now it’s up to me to keep it going. We all work together and it’s a huge part of our club. We would refer to us now as Bishopstown one-club as opposed to Bishopstown GAA club.

“All our signage has now changed and it’s very important that we see women in sport being developed. I know it’s not going to happen for a long time, but we can only control what’s inside our own gates. We are doing our very best to make us the best one-club that we can be.

“We have huge numbers in Bishopstown. Our membership is over 2,000 people now. Underage is just growing year on year. We have had a huge number of new arrivals from other countries over the last number of years. We are also doing a lot of development work, so it's a busy time. The club has developed massively, with the new 4G pitch, lighting on pitch 3 and a new ball alley with astro. We are always looking forward.” 

There are very few female chairpersons of GAA clubs on Leeside, but for O’Sullivan, she isn’t concerned about that.

“To be chairperson of any club, it’s all about whether you can do the work,” she said.

“It’s a huge honour though for me personally to be in this position. It was a hugely emotional day when I got ratified. It’s not unusual from a Bishopstown perspective for a female to be leading the club. Bishopstown GAA have been ahead of the curve when it comes to females in leadership roles. Maud O'Brien was the first female president in 1989. 

“I will lead it to the best of my ability and continue to improve the club. I don’t think too much of the female aspect of it, as long as the club is in good hands, that’s the most important thing. Promotion of the games is huge of course, but we work massively with the community in Bishopstown. That’s a key focus for myself and the club moving forward.”  

Bishopstown currently play in the Senior A grade in both codes and the new chairperson of the club is hoping a successful season lies in store this year.

“We were disappointed to lose our Premier Senior hurling status last year, but at the end of the day, we are still a dual senior club. We have been senior football since 1974 and senior hurling since 2006. We are very proud of that and we will keep going.

“I want both teams to be competitive. The first aim is to retain our dual senior status and see what happens after that.”