Alan Davey – BSc in Health Science and Physiology

Name: Alan Davey

School: St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghadareen,

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to choosing your course 

I am a very ambitious person, I have a real love for sport and I am GAA mad. My club is Eastern Harps GAA club which I play as goalkeeper for the past 4 years.  I am the youngest of 5 children. I come from an area which is always mistaken as Co. Roscommon which is called Ballaghaderreen, I could play for that club meaning I would be a Mayo man.  I would call myself a small bit of a home bird, as a result I thought that ATU Sligo would suit me best and in total honesty I haven’t looked back since. Health Science & Physiology is not available anywhere else in Ireland and it’s a course which I had heard great things about. The career prospects from the course are great. 

Why did you choose ATU Sligo? 

As stated above, I was still young and a bit of a home bird, I felt that I wasn’t quite ready to move away from home yet. Health Science & Physiology is not available anywhere else throughout the country and as I stated, the career prospects are great. I hope to be a physiotherapist and many graduates from Health Science & Physiology go on to further study to study Physiotherapy which is something I would really like to do. 

What advice would you give someone thinking about choosing ATU Sligo? 

I would say if you were looking for a college that you want to call home it’s ATU Sligo. The lecturers are so friendly which is a massive factor when choosing colleges. Its located so close to town also which is great. ATU Sligo has a broad range of courses and so much student accommodation meaning you will pay affordable accommodation.   

Do you like Sligo as a student town? e.g. things to do, food, nightlife, clubs and societies, accommodation etc. 

Sligo has a broad range of restaurants in town, Sligo is known for its brilliant food. Strandhill is only 10 minutes out the road also with Rosses Point also nearby. The nightlife is very good also as all students are kept the same area as people don’t get separated in town as all the pubs and nightclubs are so close together.  There is a broad range of clubs and societies in the college meaning no matter what your interest is you will more than likely find one that suits you best.  

What specifically about your course do you particularly enjoy? 

I love the practical elements in the gyms and the labs. I also really enjoy some of the theory elements also which I find very relatable to my sports code. Such as hearing about nutrition in lectures, I can relate to the theory and it helps me then get a better understanding of the topic.

What would you say to a student thinking about studying your course? 

If you have an interest in sport, then I would consider Health Science & Physiology. Even if you don’t have an interest in sport but have an interest in physical activity and learning about anatomy and physiology than this course is for you.  

Tell us about your sporting career/success so far? 

I have been a member of the Sligo GAA Senior squad since I was 18.  

I would have also played through all the development squads right through to senior.  

I was on the Sligo Minor team in 2018 which lost in the All Ireland Quater Final.  

Also, that year I was Joint Captain of the Sligo U-17 Squad who lost to Mayo. 

I have many accolades for my club Eastern Harps, we were very successful at underage in Eastern Harps while winning league and championship or one of them each year between U-14 to U-21.  

I have been the Goalkeeper for the senior Squad now for 4 years.   

I was very lucky to have played on such a great team in my time in St. Nathys Ballaghderreen. 

Each year we reached the Connacht final, we won 4 leagues in my 6 years in college. 

We did not win the Championship though until my final year in the college where we then went on to win the All-Ireland Semi Final against Lucan. A couple of Weeks later we played Holy Trinity Cookstown in the All-Ireland Final in Croke Park. It was an experience of a lifetime.  I was very lucky to have been selected as the Player of the Year that year also. I also was nominated as the Man of the Match that day also.  

What is the best thing about sport and sports facilities at ATU Sligo? 

I have a great passion for playing for ATU Sligo as I treat it as my county team. It is my home so I would like to do well with them. I am really looking forward to the Sigerson Championship with ATU Sligo also. The sport facilities in ATU Sligo  are excellent. The GAA pitch is always in superb shape, the Astro turf and running track are also massive benefits to have here in the college.  

How has the sports scholarship benefited you? What are the advantages to it? 

The scholarship is going to help me pay off my college fees. I am finding it very difficult to fund college at the moment and receiving this scholarship has greatly helped me. Some money will also be used to travel to college as I am living at home.  

Learn more about AU861 Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Physiology

Learn more about AU971 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health Science and Physical Activity

Find out more about ATU Sligo Sports Scholarships