UCD Graduate Sports Scholars 2024/25 

Posted 19 November 2024

Graduate Sports Scholarship Awardees 2024/25 include a distinguished group of students. Back row from left to right: Paul Flood, UCD Rowing Club, MSc Materials Science & Eng, Sponsored by School of Engineering & Architecture; Daire Lynch, UCD Rowing Club, Graduate Entry Medicine, Sponsored by the School of Medicine; Dach Murray, UCD Rowing Club, Radiography, Sponsored by School of Medicine; Cian O'Cathasaigh, UCD GAA Club, MSc Engineering & Business, Sponsored by School of Engineering & Architecture; Niall Comerford, UCD Men's Rugby Club, MSc Aviation Finance, Sponsored by Smurfit Graduate Business School; Jack Nevin, UCD GAA Club, MSc Systems Engineering, Sponsored by School of Engineering & Architecture; Killian Roche, UCD GAA Club, Professional Masters Education, Sponsored by School of Education; Malachy Stone, UCD GAA Club, MSc Food Business Strategy, Sponsored by Smurfit Graduate Business School; Ryan O'Toole, UCD GAA Club, MSc Mathematics & Science, Sponsored by College of Science; Ogiehor Osasere, UCD Soccer Club, MSc Biopharmaceutical Engineering, Sponsored by School of Engineering & Architecture. Front Row, left to right: Eoin Ryan, UCD GAA Club, MSc Engineering, Sponsored by School of Engineering & Architecture; Tim Corkery, UCD Men's Rugby Club, MSc Energy Systems Engineering, Sponsored by School of Engineering & Architecture; Molly Hourihan, UCD Athletics Club, MSc Sports Management, Sponsored by School of Sports & Exercise Management; Emma Kelly, UCD Women's Rugby Club, MSc Biomedical Engineering, Sponsored by School of Engineering & Architecture; Lucy Dunne, UCD GAA Club, Professional Masters Education, Sponsored by School of Education; Daire Cregg, UCD GAA Club, MSc Project Management, Sponsored by Smurfit Graduate Business School; James Moran, UCD GAA Club, MSc Aviation Finance, Sponsored by Smurfit Graduate Business School. Missing from the photo: Adam Verdon, UCD Soccer Club, away competing on behalf of UCD, MSc Digital Marketing, Sponsored by Smurfit Graduate Business School.

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University College Dublin celebrated the induction of the 2024/25 Graduate Sports Scholars with a ceremony on November 19th, 2024. This prestigious event honoured exceptional student-athletes who have excelled in both their sporting disciplines and academic pursuits.

The Graduate Sports Scholarship (GSS) program at UCD supports athletes competing at the highest levels - both nationally and internationally - while pursuing postgraduate studies. It embodies a commitment to balancing athletic and academic excellence, providing a supportive environment for student-athletes to thrive in both areas.

This year’s GSS program recognized athletes across a range of sports, including GAA, Athletics, Rugby, Soccer, and Rowing. The initiative highlights UCD’s dedication to fostering an environment where athletic excellence and academic achievement go hand in hand.

The scholarships span various distinguished UCD Schools and Colleges, such as the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, School of Education, School of Engineering & Architecture, and School of Medicine.

Scholarship benefits include a 50% reduction in tuition fees, academic mentoring and support, access to top-tier performance gyms, elite sporting facilities, professional strength and conditioning coaching, and tailored nutritional guidance. Scholars also graduate with a qualification from Ireland’s leading university, further enhancing their future prospects.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of the scholars, acknowledging their dedication to academics and sports, as well as the contributions of individual UCD Schools that sponsor the scholarships.

Distinguished representatives, including Associate Professor Cormac McCarthy from the School of Medicine, Associate Professor Dr. Ro Aitken, Director of Student Support at the School of Education, Associate Professor Patrick from the Dean of Science, and Associate Professor James Matthews from the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, were present to honour their scholars. Their attendance underscored the university’s unwavering support for these students' success both on and off the field.

The event was more than a celebration of individual accomplishments; it was a testament to UCD’s commitment to developing leaders who excel in both competitive sports and academic endeavors. The GSS program continues to reflect UCD’s ethos of ambition and excellence, inspiring the next generation of scholars and athletes alike

List of Scholarship Awardees 

By: Mags D'Arcy, Communications Manager, UCD Student Services & Facilities 

To contact UCD Student Services & Facilities, email: sscommunications@ucd.ie