Leinster Representatives

Gráinne is a lifelong rugby volunteer and former player with MU Barnhall RFC, where she played for the club’s first women’s team to compete in the Leinster Leagues. Appointed to the IRFU Committee in 2023, she currently serves as Chair of the Third Level Rugby Committee and is a member of the Rugby, Women’s, Club Affairs, Club Assistance, and Age Grade Rugby Committees. Gráinne has made a significant contribution to rugby governance and development over more than two decades. Her roles have included Metropolitan Area Youth Secretary, Leinster Youth Committee Representative, Chair of the Leinster Youth Committee, and a member of the Leinster Senior Women’s Team Management. She continues to serve on the Leinster Executive and Leinster Rugby Committee and remains actively involved with MU Barnhall RFC through its Executive Committee. A former ESB employee, Gráinne was the first female President of MU Barnhall RFC, serving in 2017/18, and is a passionate advocate for youth, women’s, and club rugby development.

Billy Murphy is a member of UCD RFC and his playing career included spells with Rockwell College, UCD RFC and Bective Rangers FC.  Within Leinster Rugby, he has held a number of senior governance positions, including membership of the Leinster Executive Committee from 2011, Chair of the Commercial & Marketing Committee from 2012, and a member of the Leinster Management Committee. He served as President of Leinster Rugby in 2023/24. Appointed to the IRFU Committee in 2024, he brings extensive expertise in communications, commercial strategy, governance and leadership to Irish Rugby and became Chair of the Commercial & Marketing Committee in 2025. Professionally, Billy is Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Drury Communications, one of Ireland's leading public relations consultancies. 

Joe McDermott is a member of Wanderers FC and played junior rugby with the club for more than 20 years. He has remained actively involved in rugby governance throughout his career. Joe has been a member of the Leinster Branch since 2011 and has served as Chair of the Leinster Senior Clubs Committee since 2016, contributing significantly to the development and administration of club rugby across the province. He was appointed to the IRFU Committee in 2019. Professionally, Joe worked as an insurance broker, bringing valuable commercial and governance experience to his rugby roles.

Rachael is a member of the IRFU Union Committee since 2023 and Chair of the IRFU Spirit of Rugby Committee, helping to promote the values, culture and positive impact of rugby across Ireland. She also serves on the Leinster Rugby Executive Committee.  A member of County Carlow FC, Rachael combines her passion for rugby with extensive professional expertise in data, research and innovation. She is Data Steward and Digital Innovation Officer at South East Technological University (SETU), where she leads initiatives in research information management, research data management, digital innovation and open research. Rachael holds a Master of Business in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and is currently undertaking a part-time PhD at University College Dublin. Her research focuses on governance, organisational culture, and women's experiences of leadership and decision-making, with a particular interest in developing more inclusive and effective governance structures.