Athletics Ireland has announced that Mary Coghlan is to succeed chief executive Brendan Hackett on May 19th.
The decision was ratified by the president and the board last night.
Coghlan, who has represented the Crusaders athletics club over 100m, 200m, and 400m, has been chair of the finance and risk committee for the last two years. Her brother, Peter, is a 10-time national champion over the 110m hurdles.
"I am delighted to be appointed CEO of what is Ireland's most successful international sports organisation," Coghlan said in a statement released this morning.
"Athletics Ireland is in the very fortunate and enviable position of receiving outstanding support from the Irish Sports Council as well as having thousands of volunteers up and down the length and breath of the country who coach children, organise competitions and build facilities out of a sense of passionate community involvement.
"My two years experience on the board has equipped me well for the challenges that lie ahead and I am really looking forward to working in close cooperation with the Irish Sports Council, our 25,000 members, the current staff, sponsors and partners to ensure the continued success of our sport."
Coghlan is a qualified actuary with a degree in mathematics from Oxford University.