Seventeen IT Sligo students have been awarded new Sports Scholarships which will develop their skills and make them ambassadors for the Institute in competitions at home and abroad.
They follow in the footsteps of 33 other elite Sports Scholars at IT Sligo who have been making their mark at all competitive levels, including World championships, since the Institute of Technology introduced its scholarship programme scheme in 2009.
Congratulating the new Sports Scholars, Professor Terri Scott, President, IT Sligo, said: “Recognition of talent in all its manifestations is part of the IT Sligo brand.
“This Institute has already taken the lead with our commitment to a ‘healthy campus’ initiative, and sport in all its many colours embodies the physical and mental wellbeing aims that are at the heart of that drive.”
Scholarships provide financial and mentoring support to athletes of outstanding talent, many of whom may have already represented IT Sligo, their county or Ireland in their respective sports.
Recipients are supported by IT Sligo in keeping up their sporting commitments at the same time as pursuing their educational commitments and goals.
Professor Scott presented each new Scholar with a Scholarship Certificate and a personalised tracksuit at a campus ceremony chaired by Roddy Gaynor Programme Chair, Bachelor of Business (Recreation and Leisure).
Professor Scott told the recipients: “Each of you has excelled in your chosen sports activity and in so doing you have enhanced IT Sligo’s reputation as an academic setting that values and rewards sporting prowess.
“Dedication, energy and resilience, especially in the face of setbacks, are the hallmarks of every successful sportsperson. They are the qualities, too, that IT Sligo strives to nurture in our approach to all facets of student learning and social life on campus.”
IT Sligo allocates a €50,000 fund for Sports Scholarships Scheme and all students are entitled to apply.
Since its introduction, the scholarships have benefited students involved in a wide range of sports including soccer (ladies/men), Gaelic football (ladies/men), basketball, athletics, surfing, boxing, camogie, hurling, golf and martial arts
This year, GAA and Soccer dominates the scholarship list, with 13 awards. The list includes students who have established reputations in county, Intervarsity and other national and international sporting arenas.
The scholarship winners are:
GAA – Emmett Corrigan (Westmeath), Éilísh Gannon (Galway), Finbarr Hanratty (Monaghan), Cathal Mulryan (Galway) Michéal McCarville (Monaghan), Eoin McHugh (Donegal), Paul O’Connor (Cavan), and Paul Varley (Galway)
Soccer: Aoife Brennan (Mayo), Adam Murphy (Mayo), Rachel King (Galway) Brian McGroary (Donegal) and Barry O’Mahony (Sligo)
Kickboxing: Alexandra Block (Sligo and Dessie Leonard (Sligo)
Boxing: Louise Donohoe (Mayo)
Racquet Sports: Conor Caheny (Sligo)
The 17 new IT Sligo Sports Scholars pictured with Institute academics Roddy Gaynor (right) and Alan Kelly.
Professor Terri Scott, President, IT Sligo with Sports Scholars who are GAA county players, left to right Paul Varley (Galway), Finbarr Hanratty (Monaghan), Michéal McCarville (Monaghan), Emmet Corrigan (Westmeath), Cathal Mulryan (Galway), Eoin McHugh (Donegal) and Paul O’Connor (Cavan). Also pictured are lecturer Alan Kelly and IT Sligo GAA Development Officer Michael Harte.
Sports Scholars, boxer Louise Donohue( left )and kick-boxers Alexandra Block and Dessie Leonard with President Professor Terri Scott and Roddy Gaynor, Programme Chair, Bachelor of Business in Recreation and Leisure.
Soccer Sports Scholars (from left) Adam Murphy, Barry O’Mahony and Brian McGroary with Professor Terri Scott and IT Sligo FAI Facilitiator Emma Mullin.