This year, 21 club sports are being recognised including Canoe and Show Jumping (Equestrian) for the first time with Men’s Basketball and Tennis making a welcome return.
Mr Con O’Brien, Vice-President for the Student Experience who presented the scholarships said: “Once again the number of students in UCC excelling in sports applying for a Sports Scholarship is extremely high. Over 100 students received Sports Scholarships this year.”
Sports honoured include Rowing, Handball, Ladies Gaelic Football, Equestrian, Sailing, Badminton, Rugby, Soccer, Ladies Soccer, Hurling, Golf, Ladies & Men’s Hockey, Gaelic Football, Camogie, Canoe, Basketball, Athletics, Tennis, Modern Pentathlon and Volleyball.
The success of the UCC Senior Rugby team in the All Ireland League last season and the U21’s in the All Ireland Club championship sees 9 rugby scholarships awarded, with 9 ladies hockey awardees complementing their success in the Munster Senior League and All Ireland League. International basketball, volleyball and hockey players are being recognised in addition to International rowers, canoeists and sailors.
Two of Ireland’s most promising young rowers received awards – Justin Ryan and Peter Hanily. They won silver medals at the recent World U23 Rowing Championships and are future Olympian hopefuls.
15 students also received Munster Council GAA Bursaries including Denise Leahy and Cian O’Conchuir who received administration bursaries.
Double All Ireland hurling medal winner Michael Cahill received the EMC Scholarship.
Cadbury Ireland are also continuing their sponsorship of aspiring U21 Gaelic Footballers in addition to their sponsorship of the All Ireland U21 Series. Barry O’Driscoll (Cork) and Paul Geaney (Kerry) are this year’s recipients of the Cadbury U21 awards.
The Bank of Ireland, proud sponsors of the UCC Sports Clubs are again sponsoring three scholarships this year for aspiring first years. The recipients are: Patrick Maher (Athletics), Andrew Neville (Soccer), and Aine Curran (Ladies Hockey).
The inaugural recipient of the Cork City Football Club Scholarship is Michael McSweeney. This year, three players will receive “Player Development Awards” as distinct from the Scholarship Scheme. The inaugural recipients of these awards are Eoin Kilcommins, Max Taaffe, and Kyle O’Shea.
Family, friends, coaches, and college personnel joined the recipients at the function which was organised by UCC’s Office of Sport and Recreation.
Picture: Scholarship recipients (golf): Eoghan Long, Declan King, Ian O'Rourke and Emma O'Driscoll.
