GPA’s 2021 Rookie Camp
Ten players from Galway were among 303 new inter-county panel members who logged on to the GPA’s 2021 Rookie Camp.
The camp, held remotely this year, aims at helping young players adapt to life on a senior panel and also explains available supports through the GPA.
Sarah Spellman (camogie ), Matthew Tierney, Maitias Barrett and Paul Kelly (football ), and Cian Burke, TJ Brennan, Darach Fahy, Diarmuid Kilcommins, Conor Walsh and Shane Cooney (hurling ) were the Galway participants.
Among the speakers were Thomas International’s Daire Lynam; sport’s psychologist Dr Ciara Losty, who works with many international athletes including members of Irish Olympic teams, Mayo footballer and current PhD student Stephen Coen and Cork footballer Dr Orlagh Farmer; and international athlete Ciara Mageean and Irish Seven’s rugby star and Love Island winner Greg O’Shea.
GPA player development manager Ian Reeves says stepping into a senior inter-county dressing room can be a daunting experience for young players. "We want to ensure our members are as best prepared as they can be for what that entails. We also want to ensure that becoming a senior inter-county player does not take away from the other aspects of their lives which cannot and should not be ignored. A balanced approach to their sport will allow them perform better both on and off the field of play.”
Sporting awards
Galway's successful All Ireland winning u-21 footballers have bagged the prizes in this year's Eirgrid awards. Galway's Jack Glynn has been named the Eirgrid Player of the Year for 2020 and manager Donal O Fatharta is the Manager of the Year.
Sporting scholarships have been awarded to GMIT students with seven from Galway, Gort's Patrick Cummins (hurling ), Galwegians' Alexandra Dunne and Corinthians' Emmanuel Chihumura (rugby ), Adam Hession of Turloughmore (boxing ), Satrsfields' Cora Keny (camogie ), Dean Murray of Renmore (gymnastics and cheerleading ), and Claregalway's Chellene Trill (Ladies football ).
Galway sporting stars attending Limerick IT awarded scholarships included Amy Treacy of Cappataggle (camogie ), Galway United's Jack O'Connor (soccer ) and Ciara Doran of Gort (swimming ).
Soccer signings
Former Galway United younster Dara Costelloe has signed with Burnley's Academy.
The Limerick player, who joined United in 2017 from Aishling Annacotty, played with the U15 team and the U17 squad in 2018. At just 15, he made his senior debut, before winning a first-team contract in 2019.
Costelloe, now 18, has been training with Burnley Academy since last summer.
Across the water also, Oughterard's Conor Shaughnessy is moving from Leeds United to Rochdale AFC. The 24-years-old has been at Elland Road since 2017, but has now agreed an 18 month contract with Rochdale.
