Paddy Power Poker Announces 'Poker Legend' as New Ambassador
Paddy Power Poker has announced “Irish Poker Legend” Dara O'Kearney as the brand’s new ambassador ahead of next month’s Irish Open.
Prior to his new relationship with Paddy Power, O’Kearney previously worked with WPT Global and also enjoyed a successful career as an ultramarathon runner, winning the 2005 Tresco Marathon.
The County Clare native has recorded an impressive list of tournament cashes from events around the world, including victory in the 2008 European Deepstack Poker Championship against a high-quality field that included Barny Boatman and Joe Beevers, and is the author of several bestselling strategy books.
O'Kearney has also previously enjoyed deep runs at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), including a 2nd-place finish in 2015's WSOP $1,500 No Limit Hold'em, and has a series of notable cashes on the European Poker Tour (EPT).
In a statement posted on X last week, Paddy Power Poker hailed the Irishman as “a true pro, respected voice in the game, and Irish Poker Legend,” while O'Kearney called the partnership an “immense honour” and hinted at “exciting plans” for the brand in the year ahead.
O’Kearney, who also co-hosts the three-time Global Poker Award-winning The Chip Race podcast alongside David Lappin, joins his fellow broadcaster in announcing a new ambassadorship, with Lappin recently unveiled as the latest addition to Team PokerStars Pro.
"An Immense Honour"
Taking to X, O'Kearney confirmed he had inked a deal with Paddy Power Poker to represent the site as an ambassador, saying, "It's an immense honour to represent such a great Irish success story, the small Irish bookie that grew into one of the biggest gambling companies in the world, with a fun irreverent approach."
"It's an immense honour to represent such a great Irish success story"
He also hinted at major plans for the operator in the year ahead, adding, "During my talks with them, they revealed some very exciting plans they have for this year, which I can't disclose yet, but watch this space!"
Undoubtedly, some of those plans will relate to this month's Irish Poker Open, which is co-sponsored by Paddy Power Poker and PokerStars, and gets underway at the Royal Dublin Society on March 26th, headlined by a €2.5m GTD Main Event.
