Local sports stars awarded with UCC scholarships
Several local students were awarded Sports Scholarships this week at University College Cork (UCC). As some of the country’s most promising emerging athletes, the awards recognises their excellence.
Local students awarded scholarships for hurling include Niall O’Leary of Castlelyons, Glenville’s Daire O’Leary, Eoin Roche, Kildinan and Daniel Hogan of Glanmire.
Under Gaelic football, Rathcormac’s Katie Quirke was awarded, along with both Gavin Creedon and Ciaran O’Sullivan from Mallow, while women’s soccer saw Watergrasshill local Riona Crowley a successful recipient.
Glanmire’s Annaliese Murphy was awarded for her excellence in basketball with the Jason Foley Memorial award, while Carraignavar’s Colm Murphy achieved his scholarship under the Player Development Performance Scholarship in soccer for 2021/2022. John Willis, Mallow was awarded under the Player Development Performance Scholarship (Rugby) 2021/22.
Successful locals were announced among a total of 75 athletes selected for the 2021/22 UCC Sports Scholarship Programme, with a further 20 students rewarded under UCC’s Sports Performance and Development Programmes.
The athletes have been selected following a detailed assessment of their sporting track record, development potential and will now qualify for additional performance support and services.
Aside from financial support, UCC Sport athletes benefit from the support provided by the university’s club coaches and specialist staff in the area of sports science and conditioning, nutrition, sports medicine, sports physiology and sports analysis.
AN HONOUR
Speaking at the announcement of this year’s scholarships, Elva Kerr a Third Year Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship student who plays hockey for UCC, highlighted the benefits of the scholarship.
“The funding is good for a student, especially when you are involved in sport; it’s hard to balance earning with training and studying, so that’s always a help. But just having the scholarship itself, is really an honour. When you go to play for UCC you think ‘I’m representing the college’ and it’s just backing me.
“We know that supports are in place if we need them. If, say, you have a load of matches on the week of an exam, UCC Sport can always back you, and then there’s the access to a physio and other supports like that as well - we know that UCC has these in place if we need them,” she said.
UCC Sport recognises and thanks key sponsors who contribute to the programme: Bank of Ireland, MJ Dowling, the family of the late Moss Keane and the family of the late Jason Foley.