Shamrock Rovers F.C. are delighted to announce that Graham Merrigan has been appointed as the club’s Disability Access Officer (DAO), demonstrating the club’s commitment to accessibility for all supporters.
In his role, Graham will oversee all aspects of accessibility at the club, serving as the key contact for supporters with specific access needs.
Making Rovers Accessible for Everyone
Graham spoke to shamrockrovers.ie on his appointment:
As the Disability Access Officer (DAO) for Shamrock Rovers F.C., I’m here to make sure the club is welcoming, safe and accessible for everyone. Whether you’re a regular supporter, a first-time visitor, or coming along with specific access needs – this role is all about listening, improving things, and making sure that no one is left out.
What does the DAO actually do?
Basically, if you’ve got any questions or concerns about access e.g. parking, seating, toilets, signage, sensory spaces, or anything else, you can come to me. If something’s not working for you, I want to know. My job is to flag it and help fix it.
Practical Improvements Already Underway
Graham has already tackled accessibility challenges at the club. A recent example involved LED lights installed for UEFA Conference League matches that blocked views for wheelchair users in the south stand.
The LED lights brought in for the UEFA Conference League phase completely restricted the viewing for wheelchair users in the south stand. The club gave plenty of notice to those affected and refunded everyone. The club executive tried to resolve the issue by bringing it to the attention of UEFA, but to no avail. The LED signs were back for the new league campaign and our view was worse than before. The club was very proactive, repositioned the signs, tilted them, and now there have moved them back closer to the boundary wall, so we are 88% there in fixing the issue. It’s that kind of feedback that makes a difference, but now that feedback can come from the DAO and feed it into the club office.
Background and Contact Information
Graham brings passion for both Shamrock Rovers and inclusion to his role, with a vision to make the club “the best on the island for accessibility in Sport.”
Supporters can contact Graham directly with feedback or questions at DAO@shamrockrovers.ie. He can also be found around the South Stand during match days.
