Nine Cork City players to benefit from UCC scholarships

11 Nov 2026

• Five women’s team players and four men’s team players awarded UCC scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year.
• UCC and Cork City FC’s longstanding partnership continues to support players in balancing their academic and sporting ambitions.

Nine promising footballers have been announced as the recipients of a dedicated scholarship as part of the ongoing partnership between University College Cork (UCC) and Cork City FC.

UCC has been the Official Academic Partner to City for over a decade, which has enabled dozens of students balance their studies and football careers, while also allowing City avail of UCC’s world class sporting facilities at the Mardyke Arena.
Five players from City’s women’s team and four from the men’s team have received the scholarship for the 26/27 academic year.

What the partnership means to students

Stella Berezowski, second-year Graduate Entry Medicine student, said:

"Balancing the demands of medical school with playing football at City can be challenging, so the partnership between UCC and the club has been incredibly valuable in making both possible. UCC has been very supportive and accommodating of League of Ireland players, providing the flexibility and resources needed to pursue my academic and sporting goals. I am extremely grateful for the scholarship and the support it provides."

Seán Richmond, first-year Commerce student, said:

“The scholarship takes a lot of pressure off both my family and I financially, and allows me to focus more on my sport and my studies. It gives me support and opportunities to improve as an athlete and also helps me stay motivated to achieve my academic goals. It encourages me to keep working hard, to set goals for myself and make the most of the opportunities available to me.”

Denzell Obenge, who studies International Business with French, said:

“I think the partnership is great as it gives us players a platform to express ourselves academically outside of the pitch. Juggling sports and academics is never easy but here I have been given a lot of support through the various student resources available like UCC library which help me catch up on anything I missed through training.”

Clodagh Fitzgerald, first-year Social Science student, said:

“Being part of the scholarship programme is a fantastic opportunity, as it allows me to continue developing as a footballer while pursuing my studies at UCC. The partnership provides a great balance between both commitments and gives me the support and flexibility to work towards achieving my goals both on and off the pitch. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and excited to see what I can achieve through the programme.”

Matthew Kiernan, who studies Business Information Systems, said:

"As a BIS student, the partnership allows me to train full time while staying on top of college work with support from UCC and Cork City. Last year, for example, an exam clashed with a City match, but I was able to reschedule so I could both sit the exam and be available for the matchday squad."

Additional scholarship recipients are:

• Maeve Courtney, Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts BEd
• Molly Lane, Biological and Chemical Sciences BSc
• Amy McCarthy, Speech and Language Therapy BSc
• Jordan McCarthy, Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts BEd

A commitment to fostering academic and sporting excellence

Commending this year’s scholarship recipients, UCC President Professor John O’Halloran MRIA said:

“I want to congratulate this year’s cohort of scholarship recipients. At UCC, we are committed to the holistic development of our students and creating an environment where they can both achieve excellence in both their academic and sporting endeavours. With both the men’s and women’s teams competing in the Premier Division next season, all at UCC wish City the very best in 2027.”

Éanna Buckley, Cork City FC Chief Operating Officer, commented:

“We are very pleased to confirm details of this year’s scholarship awards. The relationship between Cork City FC and UCC has been in place for over a decade, and so many students have benefitted from the scholarship programme in that time. It is a fabulous opportunity for these students to continue their education whilst continuing to play at an elite level with the club.”

“The supports on offer from UCC to the students which assist them in juggling their studies and football are a huge benefit to all of these students, and I know that they are all very excited by the opportunity. I would like to thank everyone at UCC for their continued support, and wish the students every success in the coming year,” Éanna said.