In this careers series, Martina Mulhall, Gold Star Careers, speaks with high-profile figures across a range of industries to explore the stories behind their success.
From early career choices to pivotal moments, challenges overcome, and advice for the next generation, every interview offers a personal insight into the many different paths a career can take.
This week we turn our attention to Laois sporting legend, Sue Ramsbottom, who was inducted into the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s Hall of Fame last November.
The Timahoe super-star was part of the Laois Ladies team that won the All-Ireland Senior Championship in 2001. Other notable achievements during her inter-county career were National League Division 1 title wins in 1993 and 2003.
Sue has seven All-Star awards (1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997).
In 1886, aged 12, she won an All-Ireland Senior club medal with The Heath. She went on to enjoy further success with Timahoe Ladies at local, provincial and All-Ireland levels.
Sue’s sporting prowess was not just confined to Ladies Gaelic Football, as a brief but brilliant rugby career in 1998 saw her capped three times for Ireland. She was selected within weeks of taking up the sport.
Sue is a commandant in the Irish Defence Forces. During her distinguished military career she has been on many foreign missions including Lebanon, Kosovo and Bosnia.
Presently she is working in Eurocorps which is a multinational, deployable, and highly autonomous military headquarters based in Strasbourg, France.
It is designed to plan and conduct military operations such as crisis management, humanitarian missions, peacekeeping to training and the defence of member countries.
She has established an underage team there, Strasbourg Gaels, as her passion for Ladies Football shows no signs of abating.
Earlier in her career she served as aide-de-camp to President Mary McAleese.
1. What was your very first job, and what did it teach you?
Like most teenagers of the time, I got a summer job after my Leaving Cert.
My summer job was in the Rehab restaurant in Portlaoise. It taught me to respect everyone including customers, staff and trainees and that everyone has a place and a role to play in this world.
It also gave me a strong foundation in communication skills that have been invaluable throughout my career, especially in the Defence Forces.
2. Did you always know you wanted to work in this field, or did your career path evolve over time?
I only decided just a week before my Leaving Cert that I wanted to join the Irish Defence Forces as an Army Officer.
My father saw an advertisement on the Sunday paper and said ‘that’s the job for you.’ I was immediately sold on the idea!
The Defence Forces (DF) has an excellent career path and structure and one can progress both personally and academically.
For example, after officer training that took 21 months to complete (Cadetship) I subsequently spent four years in GMIT Galway studying Computer Science.
3. Was there a turning point or moment that shaped your career most significantly?
The day you are commissioned as a 2/Lt within the Defence Forces. You turn from being a cadet to an officer. From not being responsible to being responsible.
The training part is over and now you are responsible for your troops. Most importantly, as our careers evolve military courses and training along with continued professional development (CPT) become a big part of military life.
4. What’s one challenge you faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
For me, it was an overseas deployment to Lebanon. It is always a challenge adapting to the demands of leadership in a varied and sometimes difficult environment.
I overcame it by relying on my military training, teamwork and drawing on the knowledge and experience of my colleagues.
5. How important were education and qualifications in getting to where you are today?
Education within the military is very important and played a major role in where I am today which is Force Headquarters EUROCORPS, Strasbourg.
Education within the Defence Forces improves competency and the opportunity for promotion; it enhances your knowledge, skills and leadership abilities.
6. What does a typical day look like in your role—or is there no such thing?
A typical day for me based here at EUROCORPS headquarters in Strasbourg is characterised by variety and dynamic tasks, which is one of the unique joys of military life.
There isn’t really a “typical” day because the work involves a mix of planning, training, coordination, and readiness activities to respond rapidly to crises across a wide range of missions such as conflict prevention, humanitarian interventions and crisis management.
I enjoy working in a multinational environment and the role offers a unique blend of operational readiness, leadership development, making each day varied and challenging.
7. Who inspired or mentored you along the way, and what did you learn from them?
I have been inspired and mentored by several leaders in both my sporting and military career, particularly from figures like Connie Conway and the Heath GAA girls, and sometimes-even peers like Angela Casey who captained Laois Ladies to their first All-Ireland title.
I have had excellent GAA and rugby coaches along with top class PE teachers throughout my career. Both my career in the Defence Forces and my sporting career has impressed on me the importance of hard work, teamwork, humility and learning from setbacks.
Having female role models is very important because if you cannot see it you cannot be it!
I was also fortunate to attend an excellent secondary boarding school in the Brigidine Convent in Mountrath who played a major role in shaping my attitude towards education.
8. What advice would you give to Leaving Cert students who aren’t sure what they want to do yet? Or to adults seeking a career change?
Pick a career that suits you and do as much research into it as possible and if it is not for you don’t be afraid to change.
9. If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?
It’s important to take every chance that comes your way no matter if it’s a leadership course or an educational course and always be prepared to adapt and change.
10. What’s next for you—any goals, projects, or new challenges on the horizon?
I will depart Force HQ in Strasbourg in early 2026 and I look forward to returning to Ireland and continuing my military career, and of course getting stuck back into Timahoe LGFA.
Martina Mulhall, Gold Star Careers offers one-to-one or small group career advice, in-person or online, to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Follow on Instagram for updates and reminders about all things careers, or head over to the website to book a personalised guidance session.
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