EY CFO Outlook: Building strong financial foundations for professional rugby with Thelma O’Driscoll, CFO, IRFU

In this episode of the EY CFO Outlook podcast, Thelma O’Driscoll, CFO of the IRFU joins host Jonathan Healy to talk about her diverse career path, her passion for growing male and female rugby from the grassroots up, and how the role of CFO enables her to create a strong and sustainable financial foundation for the game.

Thelma O’Driscoll’s journey into the rugby world was not a direct one. Starting out in the family business, Thelma went on to work in various finance functions across computer manufacturing (Dell), telecommunications, and professional services. This diverse financial background has proven to be a solid foundation for her current role as CFO of the IRFU. 

And diversity has been a strong theme during Thelma’s time in the male-dominated world of professional rugby. Having been the only female around the leadership table when she first joined in 2016, the organisation has since made huge strides, with 40% of the IRFU Union Committee now comprising female colleagues. Thelma is also very passionate about growing women’s rugby and increasing investment in it. 

They also discuss:

Financial Strategy - The IRFU is a not-for-profit organisation, meaning all revenue is reinvested into the game. Over half of the IRFU’s €90m income is distributed to provinces, clubs and grassroots rugby.

Challenges in Sports Finance - The IRFU's income varies in cycles, and careful management keeps national teams and grassroots rugby stable. Thelma explains why tough decisions are needed to invest wisely and control spending in order to maintain sustainability.

Growing Women’s Rugby - Women’s rugby is experiencing rapid growth and the IRFU are committed to grow the game further and increase investment. This strategic plan includes decentralising the current model and moving to four contracted provincial women’s teams. New sponsors like Goodfella’s Pizza are investing in women’s rugby, with more to come.

The Future of Irish Rugby - At the moment Ireland is at the pinnacle of world rugby, but sustaining its position requires careful financial planning. With a debt-free model, Thelma’s goal is to strengthen its finances with modern systems to support all levels of Irish rugby.