Budding sports stars break award records

A RECORD number of sports stars of the future were presented with college scholarships last night.

University College Cork’s department of physical education presented 85 sports scholarships worth in excess of €100,000 to students at the ceremony.

Among those honoured were Kilkenny senior hurler John Tennyson, Cork camogie star Emer Dillon, Cork senior footballer Fintan Goold and Billy Holland for rugby.

Ladies’ rugby and tae-kwon-do were honoured for the first time along with rugby, soccer, Gaelic football, basketball, gymnastics, hockey, hurling, badminton, swimming, sailing, ladies soccer, golf, tennis, athletics, camogie and handball. Students who play men’s hockey and who swim for the college were also honoured.

Christine O’Donovan, acting director of physical education and sport, said: “The sports scholarship scheme underscores UCC’s commitment to encouraging and rewarding high achievement.”

In addition, nine students received Munster Council GAA bursaries from Seán Fogarty, chairman of the Munster Council, while Cadbury Football Scholarships were awarded in recognition of the sporting potential of U21 footballers at various Irish universities.