University of Galway has recognised 29 students for their sports talent and has awarded them all with sports scholarships. A further 57 athletes from previous years were also recognised at the ceremony.
The University of Galway Sports Scholarship programme has been developed to help talented athletes to develop their sporting ability along with assisting with their academic studies.
There was also a panel discussion to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Galway Senior Ladies All-Ireland Football championship win in 2004 at the ceremony. Footballers from the winning team and graduates of University of Galway, Dr Lorna Joyce, Trish Gleeson and Lisa Coohill, spoke about their sports and career journeys and shared their advice with scholars on the progression of women’s sport, the transferable skills of sport to professional careers and the benefits of participation in sport.
“It was energising to see so many talented players and athletes from the University of Galway catchment in one room. Our mission is to be the most progressive and caring University sports programme on the island of Ireland. University of Galway will provide the scholars with a high level of challenge and support. This will be led by the experienced Feargal O’Callaghan, our High-Performance lead. I wish all the scholars well for the year ahead and I look forward to getting to know them better and supporting them," said Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing at University of Galway.
