Olympic spirit permeates through CIT scholarship awards

David Matthews’ words to Olympics-bound athlete Michelle Finn will have resonated with all athletes present at the Cork IT Sports scholarship awards this week.

A national champion in her sport, the 3000m steeplechase, Finn booked her place in Rio back in July with a personal best of 9:43:34 in the Letterkenny International track event.

CIT Athletics Officer Matthews recalled speaking to Ronnie Delany who said “as sports people we will always be former sports stars, former footballers. But once an Olympian, always an Olympian.”

For many of the athletes receiving scholarships on Tuesday night at the Oriel House Hotel, the Olympics represent the pinnacle of their goals. Rower Gary O’Donovan will also be representing Ireland in Brazil next summer.

CIT Registrar and Vice President for Academic Affairs Barry O’Connor praised Finn and highlighted the achievements of some of the CIT scholars.

“It’s fantastic to have an athlete like Michelle, who is experienced in her field and going to the Olympics next year, to come and talk to us here,” said O’Connor. “We also have to remember that we have had similar success with Gary O’Donovan already qualified for the Olympics next year.”

As for the sports not recognised by the Olympics, CIT don’t fall short in that department.

“We also have two young footballers who made history on Sunday,” said O’Connor referring to Kevin Fahey and Jason Lonergan, who were part of the Clonmel Commercials squad which made history on Sunday night when they beat Nemo Rangers in dramatic circumstances to become the first Tipp club to be crowned Munster football champions.

Nor did Danny O’Connell’s form for the CIT soccer team last season go unnoticed. He was snapped up by Cork City and is now preparing for life in the Airtricity League.

For seniors such as O’Connell and Lonergan, the scholarship means an extra €1,000 that goes towards academic and sporting interests. Meanwhile, freshers such as Promise Okafor (athletics) and Colm Hennessy (rowing) will receive a sum of €500.

“The scholarship is a big help to those who get it,” said Eric Marah, CIT Soccer Facilitator. “Obviously, the money helps financially while at the same time, allows players to concentrate more on their development.”

Jockey Jane Mangan, a fourth year marketing student, has received the scholarship every year she’s been at CIT.

“It’s a fantastic help for training, particularly my fitness,” said the Punchestown Champion Bumper winner. “It means I can use the track and gym as well which is great because it’s usually dark when I get home from college.”

O’Connor stressed there is a responsibility on all scholarship recipients to perform to the best of their abilities when representing both CIT and their clubs or county sides.

“It’s a great honour. It also means that these athletes will have to continue to be the very best.

“As the standard rises or decreases, they will have to remain at the very top.”

As the awards ceremony came to a close, O’Connor announced to the room that CIT Ladies had just been crowned All Ireland champions having beaten St Patrick’s Drumcondra in the Higher Education Division 2 League Curran Cup by 3-11 to 0-6. Another sporting achievement to conclude a night filled with them.