For Organisations

Sports Data Conference 2025

Kick Start Compliance November 2025

Data Protection in Sport - All Island Conference

The Croke Park pitch and stand, with a large screen in the background which reads, "Kickstart Compliance".

On November 28, 2025, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) with contributions from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), hosted an all-island conference tackling the subject of data protection in sport. The event was designed to provide clear, actionable advice to sporting organisations large and small, with our experts panel throughout the day discussing basics of data protection, subject access requests, innovation and risk, and the management of children's data.

Recordings of each session are now available:

Kick Start Compliance Welcome: Welcome to all attendees with Commissioner Chair Dr Des Hogan (DPC).

Kick Start Compliance Opening: Introduction to the day with Caroline Mooney (ICO), David Murphy (DPC), and Ellen Hayes (Sport Ireland)

Kick Start Compliance Session 1: "Kick starting compliance", with Ian Chambers (DPC), Michael Cryan (IRFU), Niall O'Driscoll (DDSL Chair), and Caroline Mooney (ICO). Moderated by Kate Colleary (Pembroke Privacy).

Kick Start Compliance Session 2: "In conversation with the experts", with Lynne Cantwell (IRFU), Gareth Farrelly (Glaisyers ETL), and David Murphy (DPC). Moderated by Cathal Ryan (DPC).

Kick Start Compliance Session 3: "Sink or sync - balancing innovation and risk", with Micheál McCarthy (Mason Hayes & Curran), Margery Hilko (DPC), Simon Beattie (ICO), and Adrian Geissel (Surpass Sport Systems). Moderated by Lauren Burke (DPC).

Kick Start Compliance Session 4: "Playing fair with children's data", with Kelly Cunningham (GAA), Colin Gorman (Tusla), Anna Morgan (Bird & Bird), and Caroline Mooney (ICO). Moderated by Jenny Dolan (DPC).

Kick Start Compliance Closing: Closing remarks to all attendees with David Murphy (DPC).

Included for attendees on the day were several practical infographics dealing with different aspects of data protection in sport, which are now available to download from our 'Sports Data Infographics' page.

Welcome by Sport Ireland Dale Sunderland, David Murphy, Ellen Hayes, Caroline Mooney, Des Hogan, Kate Colleary — L-R: Commissioner Dale Sunderland (DPC), David Murphy (DPC), Ellen Hayes (Sport Ireland), Caroline Mooney (ICO), Commissioner Chair Des Hogan (DPC), Kate Colleary (Pembroke Privacy).

Kickstarting Compliance, Data Protection essentials Ian Chambers, Niall O’Driscoll, Kate Colleary, Caroline Mooney, Michael Cryan — L-R: Ian Chambers (DPC), Michael Cryan (IRFU), Kate Colleary (Pembroke Privacy), Caroline Mooney (ICO), Niall O’Driscoll (DDSL Chair).

In conversation with the experts Gareth Farrelly, David Murphy, Lynne Cantwell, Cathal Ryan — L-R: Gareth Farrelly (Glaisyers ETL), David Murphy (DPC), Lynne Cantwell (IRFU), Cathal Ryan (DPC).

Sync or sink: balancing innovation and risk Margery Hilko, Adrian Geissel, Micheal McCarthy, Lauren Burke, Simon Beattie — L-R: Margery Hilko (DPC), Adrian Geissel (Surpass Sport Systems), Micheál McCarthy (Mason Hayes & Curran), Lauren Burke (DPC), Simon Beattie (ICO).

Playing fair with children’s data Anna Morgan, Caroline Mooney, Kelly Cunningham, Jenny Dolan, Colin Gorman — L-R: Anna Morgan (Bird & Bird), Caroline Mooney (ICO), Kelly Cunningham (GAA), Jenny Dolan (DPC), Colin Gorman (Tusla).