UCC scholarships honour sporting greats
Ladies Hockey recipients at the awards (Picture: Clare Keogh)
Ladies Hockey recipients at the awards (Picture: Clare Keogh)
The ceremony, which was organised by the Department of Sport and Physical Activity at UCC, included the presentation of the inaugural Roy Keane UCC Sport 100 Soccer scholarships. The winners were Cathal Lordan, a second-year Sports Studies student, Andrew Neville, a third-year Arts student, and Lauren Murphy, a first-year Biochemistry student. The inaugural winners of the Michael J Dowling UCC Sport 100 Hurling Scholarships were also announced, with Conor Lehane, a second-year Arts student and Colm Spillane, a first-year Sports Studies student, emerging victorious.
Two UCC sporting heroes were fondly remembered again this year. Daniel O’Sullivan received The Jason Foley Memorial Scholarship, created in memory of Jason Foley, who died on the basketball court of sudden cardiac death syndrome while playing for his local club Glenmary BC Midleton. Daniel O’Sullivan plays with UCC Demons in the Super League.
Two scholarships were awarded in memory of Jonathan Herlihy, a keen sportsman who drowned tragically while saving the lives of two others. Awardee David O’ Connell has had an outstanding first year with UCC Rugby Club last season and he has established himself as a first team player in the All-Ireland league team this year. Awardee Megan O’ Leary received the award for her contribution to Tae Kwon Do.
20 students received Munster Council GAA Bursaries, with a further four students receiving administration awards, the highest number of administration awards given out in a single year. Cadbury Ireland continued their sponsorship of aspiring U21 Gaelic Footballers, in addition to their sponsorship of the All Ireland U21 Series. Kerry’s up and coming star Conor Cox was the 2012 recipient of the Cadbury U21 award.
Bank of Ireland, proud sponsors of UCC Sports Clubs, again sponsored three scholarships for aspiring first years. The recipients were: Chris Mintern (Triathlon), Kate Moynihan (Sailing) and Alan Cadogan (Hurling and Gaelic Football).
The Department of Sport and Physical Activity also announced a new sponsor this year; PSE Kinsale Energy Ltd. Rugby player John Fitzgerald was the inaugural awardee of this scholarship.
In addition to the scholarships, nine players from UCC Soccer Club received ‘Player Development Awards’. UCC Soccer began its Player Development programme two years ago, and it has grown substantially since then. UCC Athletics and Hockey clubs also honoured students with Development Awards for the first time.
Professor Paul Giller, Registrar and Vice President for Academic Affairs at UCC presented the scholarships, remarking: “Once again the number of students in UCC excelling in sports and applying for a Sports Scholarship is extremely high, with in excess of 100 students being honoured this year.”
In addition to Kukri Sport sponsoring gear for the scholarship recipients, Victory Teamwear also provided gear bags. 18 sports clubs in total were recognised at the ceremony, including: Rowing, Ladies Gaelic Football, Sailing, Rugby, Soccer, Ladies Soccer, Hurling, Golf, Ladies and Men’s Hockey, Gaelic Football, Camogie, Basketball, Athletics, Orienteering, Ladies Rugby, Tae Kwon Do and Triathlon.