A record number of Sports Scholarships across a wide variety of sports have been awarded to students at IT Sligo. Seventy-two Sports Scholarships were recently approved by the Institute. Of these, 28 are first time sports scholars and 44 are returning sports scholars.
For the first time this year, Sligo Rovers and Sligo Rugby Club scholarship programmes have been incorporated into the IT Sligo Sports Scholarship Programme with those recipients receiving financial reward through their club agreement with IT Sligo and all other benefits through the IT Sligo Sports Scholarship Programme. Sligo Rovers have four and Sligo Rugby Club have two players benefiting from this collaboration.
The growing popularity of women’s football is also reflected in the list of scholars with five scholarships awarded to women in soccer.
Commending the sports scholars, President of IT Sligo Dr Brendan McCormack said:
“It has been another difficult year for sport with the ongoing pandemic but these students have shown the dedication and commitment needed to rise to the highest level. Sporting activity is really important in these times to build resilience, fitness and mental health. Since its introduction in 2003, the IT Sligo Sports Scholarship programme has benefited students involved in a wide range of sports. We are delighted to support so many sports scholarships in our last year as an Institute of Technology.
Each of our Sports Scholarship recipients has excelled in their chosen sports activity and in so doing they have enhanced IT Sligo’s reputation as a learning environment that values and rewards sporting prowess. We especially welcome the alternative sports and the growing interest in women’s sport.”
Despite the difficult two years that sports people have experiences with reduced opportunity for sporting competition, we have a new Gold scholar this year. Dearbhla Rooney a champion boxer from Co. Leitrim was awarded the Gold scholar award for her outstanding dedication in the ring.
IT Sligo continues to recognise a wide range of sports in its selection of Sports Scholars and sports recognised for the first time this year include Rowing, Cycling and Pole Sport. Returning sports scholars include boxing, surfing, equestrian and chess.
In another first for Sport at IT Sligo, this year a specific Sport Bursary Programme for Flexible / Online Learners was launched and there are seven inaugural Bursary Holders representing a variety of sports, ages, and geographical locations across the country. To reflect this new development, the titles of the differing levels of scholarship are now called Scholarship, Silver and Gold. The new Flexible / Online Learners Sports Bursary is awarded at Bursary and Bursary Plus levels.
The full package of common supports awarded includes a financial support package, free gym membership at the Knocknarea Arena and specially commissioned sportswear.
Elite Sportspeople who are entering first year and have applied by May 1st also receive a pre-entry offer which includes CAO bonus points for the courses of their choice at IT Sligo.
A special presentation of the scholarships to students will take place at IT Sligo in January.
IT SLIGO SPORTS SCHOLARHIP RECIPIENTS 2021/2022
GAA
Katie Mulligan (Cavan) Luke Molloy (Cavan) Matthew Mc Gahern (Cavan) Cormac Murray (Clare) Paul O’Hare (Donegal) Richard O’Rourke (Donegal) Roisin Rodgers (Donegal) Shane Patrick Monaghan (Donegal) Maitias Eoin Barrett (Galway) Elaine Ní Niaidh (Galway) Lorraine Meehan (Galway) Caolan Clancy (Leitrim) Kieran Clancy Waghela (Leitrim) Oisin Mc Loughlin (Leitrim) Luke Jennings (Mayo) Fintan Mc Manamon (Mayo) Kathleen Mc Nally (Mayo) Deirdre Mc Nally (Mayo) Dylan Thornton (Mayo) Barry Thompson (Meath) Tiernan Mc Skean (Monaghan) Aaron Kelleghan (Offaly) Lily Vickers (Roscommon) Aoife Morrisroe (Sligo) Jack Davitt (Sligo) Joseph Keaney (Sligo) Lauren Fitzgerald (Sligo – GAA & Soccer) Sean Murphy (Sligo) Ciaran Mc Keon (Sligo) Orán Mc Donagh (Sligo) Cian Lally (Sligo – GAA & Basketball) Alan Davey (Sligo) Elisha Gavigan (Westmeath) Luke Moore (Westmeath) Ryan Moore (Westmeath)
SOCCER
Ronan Gallagher (Donegal) Amy Boyle Carr (Donegal) Nathan Logue Cunningham (Donegal) Ultan 0’Grady (Donegal) James Mc Grath (Mayo) Lauren Mc Lellan (Mayo) Katie Melly (Sligo) Jason Devaney (Sligo) Ultan Mc Kenna (Sligo) Kaillum Burns (Sligo) Ruth Monaghan (Sligo) Farah Mc Donagh (Sligo) Lauren Fitzgerald (Sligo – Soccer & GAA) Oisin O’Reilly (Westmeath)
ATHLETICS
Micheala Byrne (Donegal) Natasha Kelly (Donegal) Lauren Cadden (Sligo) Aaron Cadden (Sligo) Dion Mc Loughlin (Sligo) Vicky Harris (Westmeath)
EQUESTRIAN
Shauna Kidd (Dublin) Hilary Lavin (Mayo) Angela Kosko (Sligo) Kate Mc Keown (Sligo)
BASKETBALL
Sophie Carr (Donegal) Cian Lally (Sligo – Basketball & GAA)
GOLF
Oran Gallagher (Donegal) Daragh Connolly (Sligo)
MARTIAL ARTS
Daragh Flynn (Cavan) Ellen Woodward (Sligo) Lucas Thornton (Sligo)
BOXING
Dearbhla Rooney (Leitrim)
CHESS
Eibhia Ní Mhuireagáin (Leitirm)
CYCLING
Dylan Traynor (Donegal)
FENCING & PENTATHLON
Robert Savage (Wicklow)
GYMNASTICS
Ruth Kennedy (Sligo)
MOTORSPORT
Sara Mc Fadden (Mayo)
POLE SPORT
Susan Nolan (Dublin)
ROWING
Tara Doocey (Mayo)
RUGBY
Alan Duffy (Mayo)
WINDSURFING
Finn Mellon (Kerry)
SLIGO ROVERS SCHOLARSHIP
Peter Maguire (Leitrim) Cillian Heaney (Mayo) James Robinson (Mayo) Scott Lynch (Sligo)
SLIGO RUGBY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP
Euan Brown (Sligo) Callum Goddard (Sligo)
Photo Caption: Sara Mc Fadden from Castlebar, Co Mayo was one of 68 students awarded Sports Scholarships at IT Sligo. Sara is Ireland’s first visually impaired person to compete in rallying.