Tony is a solicitor and was appointed to the IRFU in 2016 as a Leinster delegate and has served on many committees, including Management, Commercial & Marketing, Finance and the Women’s Advisory Group. He was chair of the National Professional Game Board from 2017 to 2024.
Before joining the IRFU, Tony was chair of the Leinster Academy board and a member of the Leinster Professional Game Board. Tony played senior rugby for 14 seasons for Old Belvedere RFC and is a former Captain and President of the club.
O'Beirne adds: I am proud to take on this role and excited for the season ahead. I thank my club, Old Belvedere RFC, and Leinster Rugby for their guidance and support over many years, which have shaped my involvement in the game.
“I look forward to representing all those who contribute so much to our sport across the island at school, club, and provincial levels. Our Clubs are the bedrock of the game, and I look forward to visiting many as President and meeting the volunteers who play such a crucial role in keeping our game vibrant.
“I congratulate John O'Driscoll on his term in office and thank him for his enormous contribution to Irish rugby, both as a player and administrator.
At the Annual Council Meeting Ulster’s Stephen Black was appointed as Chair of the Management Committee. Stephen was elected to the Union Committee in 2019 and has been Chair of the IRFU Rugby Committee since 2022. In 2014 Stephen became Principal of Ballymena Academy, one of Northern Ireland’s largest and most prominent grammar schools. He is a member and past President of Malone RFC.
Black adds: “Irish Rugby benefits from an extraordinary network of volunteers, administrators, coaches, players and supporters whose commitment underpins the success of the game across the island. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the Union as we continue to strengthen and develop the game for everyone involved.
“Together, we will continue to focus on delivering great rugby experiences, achieving our high-performance ambitions, accelerating the women's game, and inspiring current and future generations to be part of Irish Rugby"
The IRFU Financial Statements for 2025/26 will be published in November with the Union predicting a small surplus.
Speaking about the past season IRFU Chief Executive Kevin Potts said:
"This has been another positive year for Irish Rugby and one in which we demonstrated resilience in an increasingly competitive global game. Strong performances on the field by our players, continued growth in participation across all aspects of the game, investment in our pathways and the ongoing commitment of our clubs, schools, provinces, players, volunteers and supporters have positioned Irish Rugby strongly for the future. While challenges remain, we are well placed to continue growing and delivering in the years ahead."
The Annual Report for the Season 2025/26 can be found here.