Solicitor Marcus Ó Buachalla has been appointed to lead the communications and media team at Leinster Rugby.

The club begins their Guinness PRO14 home season on 4 October with a match against Ospreys at the RDS Arena in Dublin.

A UCD business and legal studies graduate, Ó Buachalla (pictured) has worked with the club in a PR role since 2014, having qualified as a solicitor in 2007.

He will be taking care of all communications for the Guinness PRO14 and Heineken Champions Cup side.

Journey

Ó Buachalla told Gazette.ie this morning: “It’s been an interesting journey from qualifying with William Fry over ten years ago now but I loved every moment of my legal training and post-qualification experience with them.

“The five years’ experience of working at William Fry gave me a great professional foundation and I am delighted to have been able to put that into practice at Leinster Rugby and I look forward to my new role.”

Communications strategy

“We’ve got an expanded communications team now and I work very closely with the wider commercial and marketing team, and with Conor Sharkey on the digital side, so we’re looking forward to the rollout of our new communications strategy for the year ahead.

“From the Leinster Rugby team perspective, my role is all about making their lives as easy as possible from a media point of view in both the Guinness PRO14, and in Europe.

“But I’ve a great group of people with me to help in that regard.”

'Outstanding mentor' in the late Cathal Lavelle

“When I came in to William Fry, I was paired with the late Cathal Lavelle who was a few years my senior. I couldn’t have asked for a better fella to call on for help or guidance and the odd trip to the Leeson Lounge. He was great man and is gone far too soon.”

Ó Buachalla subsequently worked with PR agency Pembroke Communications (now Teneo Ireland) in sports and sponsorship representing clients such as the GAA, Under Armour, Setanta Sports, the LGFA, Dublin GAA county board, and the Bord Gáis Energy U-21 Hurling Championship.

Fluent gaeilgeoir Ó Buachalla also works as a GAA commentator for TG4 and plays himself at club level for south Dublin club Kilmacud Crokes.