2022
Former Cork City stars praise UCC partnership
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“The relationship between Cork City and UCC was essential for my education”
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Conor McCarthy and Sean McLaughlin both have degrees from UCC
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Six more players in City squad availing of UCC scholarship
Two UK-based Irish footballers have paid tribute to the partnership between University College Cork (UCC) and Cork City FC - an association that aided them in attaining degrees while still pursuing their dream careers as professional athletes.
With the League of Ireland kicking off on Friday, UCC is entering its sixth season as City’s primary shirt sponsor - and the arrangement directly benefits players, with six of the current squad availing of scholarships to attend UCC.
Conor McCarthy and Sean McLaughlin are now lining out for St Mirren and Hull City respectively - but the pair were teammates at Cork City, where they both juggled studies and League of Ireland football.
Conor, who graduated from UCC in 2020 with a degree in Economics Through Transformational Learning, said he believes the relationship between UCC and City enabled him to fulfil his potential both in the classroom and out on the pitch.
“I distinctly remember the stress of putting the final touches to my final year dissertation and it coinciding with the business end of the football season. My supervisor, Dr Robbie Butler, recognised the pressure I was under and was in constant dialogue with me to see how I was getting on and if there was anything he could do. I am so thankful for his input during my final year journey and it highlights the relationship between UCC and City. I am and will be forever grateful to the University and Cork City for allowing me to pursue my studies as I know it will open many doors for me in life after football.”
UCC also came to Conor’s aid when a move to Scotland transpired before he had finished his studies.
“Before my move cross-channel was completed in January, I had around five months left in my degree. It was arranged between UCC and the club to let me sit my final year exams in the local university in Glasgow. This enabled me to finish my final exams while also not missing a day’s training. Being accommodated by the university, I finished my exams and received my degree,” he said.
Sean McLaughlin’s rise at Hull City was recognised recently when he took the accolade of the Championship club’s Player of the Month for December. That was followed by an impressive showing against Everton in the FA Cup, where the Premier League side needed extra-time to overcome the challenge posed by Sean and his teammates.
Sean graduated from UCC in 2019 with a degree in Business Information Systems, and he cited winning the Collingwood Cup with UCC in 2017 and availing of the top-class facilities such as the Mardyke Arena as some of the positives of his time at the university.
“The relationship between Cork City and UCC was essential for my education,” Sean said.
“The college was very helpful with me if I had to miss lectures or delay deadlines. They made it really easy for me to both focus on football and get a great education.
“As a professional footballer you train most days from 9am-2pm, meaning you may miss some lectures in the morning. Greg Yelverton was someone in UCC who helped me massively to accommodate both football and college work. This could be something as simple as sending an email or phoning a lecturer, but it was a great help and took a lot of stress off me.
“Before I signed for Cork, UCC even contributed towards flights for me to go on trial at a club in Scotland. This was something I hugely appreciated and still remember to this day, I have Noel Healy and Mick Conroy to thank for that,” he said.
Both Conor and Sean said they would stress the importance of education to any up-and-coming footballer.
“I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to have a back-up plan, Conor said.
“I see it first-hand every day in the changing room. The conversation regularly comes up ‘What are you going to do after football?’ and 80% of lads haven’t an idea. Time flies and before you know it, football is a distant memory, and you need to find a way to pay the bills.
“There’s an old cliché of ‘you’re only one injury away from the end of your career’. For me, I can honestly say that has hit home recently more than ever. Having had ankle surgery at the beginning of December and having had my first spell on the sidelines, it really has put it all into perspective. If football was to stop in the morning, at least I have a university degree to fall back on and for that I’m so grateful,” Conor said.
Sean echoed these sentiments.
“Obviously most young people want to make it as a professional footballer as soon as possible, but it is important to have some sort of qualification before or during your career,” Sean said.
“Many players worry about getting an education before their career ends so having a degree already completed takes a lot off your mind and you can focus purely on the football. With the quality of both coaches and facilities in a college like UCC, you can still develop your game while also getting an education.”