Published on: Tuesday, 16 December 2008

The presentation of the CIT Sports Bursaries & Scholarships took place at the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig on 8 December. Guest Speaker, sports commentator Marty Morrissey presented a total of 76 bursaries and scholarships. These bursaries and scholarships are a reflection of CIT’s commitment to the development of a comprehensive sporting policy and were awarded to students who displayed high achievement levels, commitment and dedication to their chosen sport and very importantly, loyalty to that sport within the Institute.

These sports bursaries and scholarships will provide valuable assistance to students in their quest for sporting excellence. It is hoped that the recognition will encourage them to continue to train at the levels required and to continually strive for excellence in their chosen sports. While also hoping that it will act as a further encouragement for students to continue their academic studies and realise their full potential.

In total, sixty CIT Sports Bursaries were awarded, 11 CIT/Munster Council GAA Scholarships, as well as 6 CIT/Highfield Rugby Bursaries.

The bursaries/scholarships for this year were awarded to a wide variety of sports including:
•  11 Munster Council Scholarships: Men’s Football (5), Administration (2), Camogie (1), Ladies Football(1),  and Hurling (2).
• 60 Sports Bursaries: Karate (1), Cycling (1), Racquetball (1), Ladies Football (1) Sailing (2),  Dual GAA (2), Rugby (3), Athletics(3), Hockey (3), Rowing (3), Camogie(3), Golf(5), Basketball (5), Soccer (6), Men’s Football (9), Hurling (12).
•  5 Highfield Bursaries for rugby

Following on from CIT’s fantastic achievement of winning gold at the Student Yachting World Cup, sailors George Kenefick and Aoife English received bursaries. Others who were recognised include:
Cork City F.C.’s - Paul Deasy who this year made his senior debut for Cork City and also won a Munster Senior Cup medal. Irish Senior hockey player Cliodhna Sargent, as well as hockey internationals David Smith and Roger Gray. Skibereen’s Mark O’Donovan who is the current senior lightweight single scull rowing champion and Jonathan O’Keeney who last year captained the Irish Jnr Racquetball team at the World Championships in Bolivia. Danielle O’Leary from the Brunell Basketball Club, who this year collected 5 MVP awards, including Cork County Board Senior Player of the Year and MVP of the Snr Cork Championship final, as well as Basketballer Mark Mitchell who is the holder of 25 international caps. Ciaran McKenna who has been a member of the Munster Golf team since ’03. Pawel Hazler who at the Senior All-Ireland Championships came 2nd in the Hammer & Discus. Peter Kelleher who earlier this year played with the Munster U20 and Irish U19 rugby squads. Cyclist John Duggan who this year set a new Irish record in the Senior Olympic sprint. Robert Troy who has been selected to represent Ireland at the World Karate Championships in Greece in July ’09. All-Ireland U21 Rowing Champion Susan O’Brien.

On the GAA front- Nemo Rangers Paul Kerrigan and Cork Senior Daniel Goulding were recognised, as well as All-Ireland winning camogie and ladies footballers - Eimear O’Sullivan and Amanda Murphy, and Cork Senior hurlers Cathal Naughton & John O’Callaghan.