The annual Sports Scholarship Awards took place this evening, with 65 sports scholarships awarded through the Trinity Sport Department across 14 different sports, with a 50 per cent increase in female sports scholars.
Twenty-nine rugby scholarships were awarded, in addition to 30 Trinity sports scholarships, two “Victory” sports scholarships, two sports scholarships via the Centre for Inclusion and Intellectual Disability and two Trevor West sports scholarships.
Speaking at the event were Cathy Gallagher, Trinity Sports Development Manager, Michelle Tanner, head of Trinity Sport, and Brian Wickham, of Bank of Ireland, a key partner of this year’s Sports Scholarship Programme. Gallagher praised the students and expressed pride in the students as “ambassadors for Trinity College, and in particular Trinity Sport”.
Tanner recalled an address at a recent conference in which the keynote speaker asked the audience about the importance of high-performing athletes in universities, and how she places students at the heart of Trinity Sport: “Somebody answered, honestly, by saying sports students are important for the profile of the university, and I have to say, in that moment, I was joyous, because I know it’s not about that in Trinity – it’s about you, the students.”
Wickam, a colleague of retired Kilkenny hurler, Henry Shefflin, joked that Shefflin would have attended, but he was “on study leave” and told Gallagher that if there were any sports scholarships going next year, Shefflin would be happy to accept it.
Of the non-rugby scholarships, hockey was awarded the most scholarships, with eight female and three male hockey players in receipt of the Trinity sports scholarship. Gaelic football is the second-highest represented sport with six scholarships. Overall, 23 scholarships were awarded to female athletes, a 50 per cent increase on last year’s 15 female sports scholars.
The Sports Scholarships Programme rewards outstanding achievement in sport and aims to aid the development and growth of Trinity sport. A sports scholarship provides athletes with supports to help them in the development of their sport while maintaining high academic standards. In addition to the nutritional, fitness and monetary benefits, this year sports scholars can avail of medical care and functional assessment, to prevent and aid recovery from injury, in association with Trinity Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.
Meghan McGuinness and Emily Leer received the “Sport Changes Life” “Victory” sports scholarship. The “Victory” sports scholars coach basketball to children in socially deprived areas around Dublin as part of their programme while completing a masters degree in the Trinity College Business School. This marks the third year of the initiative, with the benefits reflected in last year’s basketball success in which the Trinity Ladies’ team won both the league and intervarsity championships for the first time in their history.
Maeve Phillips and Fiachra Costello receive sports scholarships via the Centre for Inclusion and Intellectual Disability for the second year running. Both students are enrolled in the Certificate in Contemporary Living course run by the centre. Phillips, recognised for her swimming achievements, has won gold medals in European Down Syndrome championships, World Down Syndrome championships and Special Olympics. Costello was awarded the scholarship for his Gaelic football achievements, having won minor football honours with his club, Whitehall Colmcilles. Hugo and Jennifer MacNeill are the honorary patrons of this scholarship. Speaking about his support of the centre’s programme, and its opportunities at last year’s sports scholarship awards ceremony, Hugo MacNeill said: “I take great pride in the achievements and development of the NIID students. The inclusion of sport as an integral part of the programme has introduced the students to new opportunities and I am truly delighted to support the Sports Scholarship awards”.
Dave Minihane, captain of Dublin University AFC, and Aran Rooney, of DU Hockey Club, are joint recipients of the Trevor West Sports Scholarship. In its second year, the Trevor West Sports Scholarship recognises the contribution of a student as an ambassador and role model for student sport in Trinity.
First-year engineering student Brian Foley and third-year BESS student Aymen Ben Mohamed also received scholarships in Association Football. Mohamed has completed a move from Longford Town to Bohemians this month, scoring three goals in 27 appearances for the League of Ireland side. Mohamed was also named by Noel King, the under-21 international head coach, in the Ireland squad for a training game in February.
Rachel O’Brien, awarded a scholarship for hockey, was named vice-captain of the under-21 Leinster Hockey squad this year. Fellow hockey sports scholarship recipients Anna-May Whelan, Lauren Thomas, Vera Taafe and Avril Dooley O’Carroll have also represented Trinity at a provincial level. Five scholarships were awarded to the Ladies boat club, with Sally O’Brien, Gillian Crowe and Aoife Leahy of the Senior 4 National Championship 2015 winning crew among those recognised. Aisling Smith was again awarded a scholarship for her kayaking achievements. Smith has represented Ireland internationally, is a three-time Whitewash National Champion, and received the Trinity Pink Award in 2014. Slalom canoe Irish national team member, Cade Ryan, also received a scholarship for water sports. Ryan finished in the top 10 in the 2014 European Junior Slalom Canoe Championships.
Aisling Maher, recently named Dublin Young Camogie Player of the Year, is honoured with a scholarship. Limerick minor county goalkeeper and captain, Eoghan McNamara, is recognised for hurling. Michelle Peel, a Meath county footballer named on the 2015 Higher Education All-Star team after captaining Trinity to Giles Cup victory, was named a scholar. Sarah McCaffrey, Dublin county star and All-Ireland finalist, and Aisling Reynolds are awarded for Ladies Gaelic football, while Tiernán Daly of Fermanagh and Michael O’Grady represent Men’s Gaelic football on the Trinity Sports Scholarship programme.
Commonwealth Games athletes Victoria Mullin (air pistol shooting) and Prakash Vijayanath (badminton) also retained their sports scholarship. Other Trinity sports scholarship recipients include Sarah Fitzpatrick (athletics), Charlotte Dunne (hockey), Jenny Long (hockey), Niamh Sweeney (hockey), Robbie Clarke (hockey), Hugh Lavery (hockey), Darragh O’Donoghue (hurling), Hannah McCarthy (rowing) and Hazel O’Neill (rowing).
Correction: 22:07, November 25, 2015
An earlier version of this article and a caption accompanying the photo incorrectly spelled the name of one of the “Victory” sports scholars. She is Meghan McGuinness, not Megan McGuinness.
