29 May Navan RFC’s Philip Brady Elected Senior VP of Leinster Rugby
Navan RFC is celebrating a historic milestone following the Leinster Rugby Annual General Meeting at Old Wesley RFC on Thursday evening (28th May), as long-standing club stalwart Philip Brady was officially elected Senior Vice-President of the Leinster Branch IRFU for the 2026/2027 season.
Formally proposed on behalf of the club by Navan RFC Chairman Stephen Mackarel, Philip’s election marks the first time in the club’s illustrious 101-year history that a member has risen to such a senior rank within the provincial rugby hierarchy.
Club Chairman Stephen Mackarel & Philip Brady
The appointment places him next in line to serve as President of the Leinster Branch for the 2027/2028 season, a role that would cap an extraordinary career in rugby administration and reflects the immense esteem in which he is held at every level of the game.
The Brady family name is deeply embedded in the fabric of Navan RFC. Philip’s rugby journey began at the very grassroots, playing Minis rugby at the club before representing Castleknock College at both Junior and Senior Cup levels, and later togging out for UCD.
His senior playing career at Navan was highly distinguished; he was a key player on the historic, back-to-back Provincial Towns Cup winning teams of 1990 and 1991. In a beautiful piece of club folklore, those legendary teams were coached by his late father, the esteemed Richard “Dick” Brady.
Off the pitch, Philip’s administrative dedication to his home club has been unwavering over the last three decades:
- 1995 – 2000: Served as Club Honorary Secretary.
- 2007 – 2009: Served as Club President.
- 2012 – Present: Serves as a vital Club Trustee.
- 1990s – 2000s: Acted as a youth referee, giving back to the next generation of Navan players.
Philip has served as Navan RFC’s official representative to Leinster Rugby since the club famously achieved Senior status in 2009. Over the past 17 years, his professionalism and strategic insight have made him one of the most respected administrators in the province:
- 2009: Appointed to the Leinster Rugby Executive and co-opted to both the Commercial & Marketing and Rugby committees.
- 2012/13: Elected Chair of the Leinster Rugby Rugby Committee, a vital role he held for seven seasons, which included representing the province on the national IRFU Rugby Committee.
- 2022 – Present: Appointed Chair of the Leinster Commercial & Marketing Committee and sits on the powerful Leinster Rugby Management Committee.
The AGM at Donnybrook proved to be a sensational night for the wider North-East area with a number of local administrators elected to key executive roles, showcasing the growing volunteerism strength of regional clubs within the province:
- David McFadden (Balbriggan RFC, representing the North-East Area): Elected Junior Vice-President of the Leinster Branch.
- John Fitzgerald (North Meath RFC): Elected Chair of the Leinster Rugby Women’s Committee.
- Bill Duggan (Ashbourne RFC): Re-elected as Honorary Junior Secretary of the Leinster Branch.
Additionally, Ciaran O’Brien (Association of Referees Leinster Branch) was elected as the overall Leinster Branch President for the 2026/27 season, succeeding outgoing President Moira Flahive, who received glowing tributes for her exceptional year of service.
The Executive Committee, trustees, players, and members of Navan RFC extend their warmest congratulations to Philip and the wider Brady family on this monumental achievement.
We wish him every success as he steps into this prestigious role for the 2026/27 season, flying the Navy and Sky Blue flag at the highest level of provincial sport.