2013 Press Releases
UCC honours sporting stars
Rugby star Alison Miller and All Ireland hurling players Conor Lehane & Seamus Harnedy were among close to 100 students recognised at the UCC Sports Scholarships 2013/14.
It was also an occasion to remember fallen sporting heroes, with a memorial scholarship awarded in honour of Jason Foley, who died on the basketball court of sudden cardiac death syndrome while playing for his local club Glenmary BC Midleton in 2005. Three scholarships were also awarded in memory of Jonathan Herlihy, who drowned tragically in 2006 while attempting to save two others from drowning.
Alison Miller from Portlaoise, who is on the Irish Senior Ladies Rugby Squad for next year’s World Cup, received the PSE Kinsale Energy Ltd Rugby Award. This year’s Michael J Dowling UCC Sport 100 Hurling recipients were Cork Senior Hurlers and All Ireland finalists Conor Lehane from Midleton (Cork County Championship winner with Midleton at U21 & Senior level in 2013, ‘Player of the Match’ in the Fitzgibbon Cup Final 2013) and Séamus Harnedy from Gortroe (near Youghal) (All Star Awardee, Fitzgibbon Cup medal winner with UCC 2013).
Tralee’s Clare Fitzgerald, Irish Senior Champion in Shot Putt & Discuss for 2012 & 2013 and Irish Intervarsity Champion in Shot putt, Discuss, Weight for Distance & Javelin in 2012 and 2013, was recognised for athletics. Miriam Crowley from Bishopstown, Cork who plays for the Irish Senior International Ladies Hockey team and Skibbereen’s Justin Ryan, who is on the Irish Senior Rowing Squad also picked up scholarships.
The Roy Keane UCC Sport 100 Soccer Scholarships were awarded to Josh O’Shea (Cloyne), Andrew Neville (Ballinlough) & Lauren Murphy (Carrigaline), all from Cork. Both Lauren & Josh competed in the World Student Games during the summer for Ireland.
The Jason Foley Memorial Scholarship went to Luke O’ Mahony (Onslow Gardens, Commons Rd Cork) who plays with UCC Demons in the First Division of the National League. Among the recipients of the Jonathan Herlihy scholarships was David O’Connell (Knockraha, Cork) of UCC Rugby Club, who has established himself as a first team player in the All-Ireland League team. Megan O’Leary (Glanmire) (Tae Kwon Do) and Conor Barry (Glounthane) (UCC Soccer) also received the award.
Munster Ladies Footballer of the Year Louise Ni Mhuricheartaigh from Baile an Fheirtearaigh (Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry) also received a scholarship.
Six students became the inaugural awardees of the High Performance Athlete Entry Scheme (HPAE), including Mallow’s Doireann O’Sullivan for Ladies Gaelic Football. Doireann was a Senior All Ireland medal winner as a secondary school pupil and now has two senior medals and all at only 19 years old. Launched by UCC President Dr Michael Murphy in January 2013, the HPAE has since fielded wide demand, with over 80 applications received. Such was its success, the University is rebranding it under the recently announced ‘Quercus Talented Programme’, offering students the opportunity to apply for scholarships in a number of areas, including sport. Race walking, athletics, basketball, hockey, Ladies Gaelic Football and rowing also featured for the HPAE.
Sponsored scholarships have been renewed again this year, a testament to how the scholarship scheme is viewed in the wider community. Cadbury Ireland continues their sponsorship of an aspiring U21 Gaelic Footballer in addition to their sponsorship of the All Ireland U21 Series. Cork’s up and coming football star Conor Dorman from Bishopstown is this year’s recipient of the Cadbury U21 award. Sponsors of UCC Sports Clubs Bank of Ireland again sponsored three scholarships for aspiring first years. Jean O’Driscoll, who is on the Irish High Performance Squad, received an R&A Golf Scholarship. Kukri Sport is continuing their sponsorship of gear for the scholarship recipients.
19 students received Munster Council GAA Bursaries, with three students receiving additional administration awards. Seven players also received Player Development Awards from UCC Soccer Club, as distinct from the Scholarship Scheme. Four athletes were also presented with Athletic Development Awards.
The event, which took place in the Mardyke Pavilion, Mardyke Sports Grounds (UCC), is organised annually by the Department of Sport & Physical Activity, UCC. UCC’s new Director of Sport, Declan Kidney, presented the awards with Dr Ian Pickup, Head of Student Experience. This year, 20 club sports were recognised with kickboxing, table tennis & swimming making a welcome return. Other sports honoured with UCC Sports Scholarships include Rowing, Ladies Gaelic Football, Sailing, Rugby, Soccer, Ladies Soccer, Hurling, Golf, Ladies & Men’s Hockey, Gaelic Football, Camogie, Basketball, Athletics, Orienteering, Ladies Rugby, Tae Kwon Do and Triathlon.
A full list of all the deserving recipients can be found by clicking here.
For further queries, please contact the event organiser Christine O'Donovan, Deputy Director of Sport & Physical Activity on C.odonovan@ucc.ie
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Further information on the High Performance Athlete Entry (HPAE) Sports Scholarships
UCC has awarded six students with High Performance Athlete Entry Sports Scholarships for 2013/14. Launched by Dr. Michael Murphy President, UCC in January of this year, this scholarship was to provide a pathway for High Performing Athletes who continued with their sport while studying for their Leaving Certificate gain access to UCC with up to 10% less points on the course of their choice if so required. This was in addition to service provisions and financial assistance for the successful applicants.
Over eighty applications were received for these inaugural sports scholarships of which there were initially five places allocated by the University. However, such was the calibre of applicants, eight potential incoming students were offered places on this scheme. Unfortunately, two applicants withdrew for varying reasons. The University endorsed the additional places such is the importance it affords to sport and the student experience.
Following an interview with the scholarship panel and a number of follow on one on one meetings, six students were selected.