News & Events

The triumphs and endeavours of athletes, sports clubs and coaches have been celebrated at the 41st annual University of Galway Sports Awards.  Among the winners were under-23 World Rowing Bronze medallist Donagh Claffey, senior county hurler Sam O’Farrell and Carrie Dolan, All-Ireland winning captain of the Galway Senior Camogie team.  Sam O’Farrell and Carrie Dolan were named Sports Persons of the Year, while Donagh Claffey from the Rowing Club won Individual Performance of the Year for his bronze medal at the World Rowing Under-23 Championships.  Other winners included Ronan Sheppard and Matthew Kennedy of the Sailing Club, who received the Unsung Hero Award, Eveline Nee, for her contribution to University of Galway Archery Club over her four years as an undergraduate student, and the Mountaineering Club for the Best Event of the Year.  Sponsored by Bank of Ireland, the awards ceremony was held at the Radisson Red Hotel Galway and hosted by RTÉ Sport’s Darren Frehill.  Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “The University of Galway Sports Awards are a celebration of the dedication, resilience and community spirit that define sport across our campus. This year’s recipients have demonstrated not only exceptional achievement in competition, but also leadership, teamwork and a commitment to supporting one another. We are immensely proud of all our students, clubs and coaches who continue to foster an inclusive and vibrant sporting culture within the University.”  Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing, University of Galway, said: “Our Sports Awards are a celebration of our sporting high performance achievements and our sport for all achievements in the University of Galway. The awards recognise the performances, achievements and hard work of our athletes, players, teams, coaches, committee members and volunteers. Our mission in the University of Galway Sports Unit is to be the most progressive and caring University sports programme on the island of Ireland. All the nominees and award winners are helping us on that mission.  “This year our winners range from Senior Camogie All Ireland winning Captain to Clubs who have doubled membership this year, and we are very grateful to the Bank of Ireland for their sponsorship and support. Our university sports club members contribute great social capital to our environment. For us in the Sports Unit, it is an honour and a pleasure to work with so many talent young adults and to support all those involved in Clubs. It is a wonderful event where all the different sports club celebrate together all those who have greatly contributed to sport in the University of Galway.”  The University of Galway Sports Awards recognise performance, leadership and participation, as well as those that contribute to the running and development of the clubs. They also celebrate remarkable final-year students who have made an outstanding and sustained contribution to sport; demonstrated an impeccable example of sportsmanship and a high level of performance and achievement; served as excellent ambassador within the University and for student sport; and competed at a regional level or above.  University of Galway is now home to more than 40 active sports clubs, which are student-led and organised, with approximately 6,000 students participating in sport and activity daily at the University.  2026 Sports Award Winners  Best Event of the Year 50th Anniversary of the Maamturks Challenge - Mountaineering  Club Captain of the Year Áine Kavanagh (Calry, Co. Sligo) Hockey, Emma Jane Inns (Bundoran, Co. Donegal) Sub Aqua  Club of the Year Swimming and Waterpolo Club  Coach of the Year Matt Lockett (Galway City) Athletics  Most Improved Club Gaelic Games Club (Includes Camogie, Hurling, Ladies Gaelic Football, Men’s Gaelic Football)  Fundraising of the Year Boxing in Pink – Boxing Club  Individual Performance of the Year Donagh Claffey (Fardrum Athlone, Co. Westmeath) Rowing  University Honours Mohammad Zajeer Ahmed, (India) Cricket and Table Tennis Eveline Nee (Rosmuc, Co. Galway) Archery Ailbhe Folan (Galway City) Hockey Naoise O’Donnell (Moycullen, Co. Galway) Athletics, Swimming, Cycling, and Triathlon  Sports Person of the Year - Male Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh, Co. Tipperary) Hurling  Sports Person of the Year - Female Carrie Dolan (Clarinbridge, Co. Galway) Camogie  Unsung Hero Ronan Sheppard (Moycullen, Co. Galway), Matthew Kennedy (Galway City) Sailing  Team of the Year Women’s Senior 8 - Rowing  Student’s Union Club Captains Choice – Female Orla Murphy (Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh) Ladies Gaelic Football  Student’s Union Club Captains Choice – Male Storm McDonald (Easkey, Co. Sligo) Sub Aqua  Dean of Student Award Katia Tuck (France), Rory McDonnell (Beaufort, Co. Kerry) Table Tennis Caoimhe Gilligan (Rossinaver, Co. Leitrim) Surf, Sub Aqua Laoise Gillic (Galway City) Fencing Oscar Choo (Strandhill, Co. Sligo) Surf Neasa Ní Ainiféin (Ennis, Co. Clare) Athletics Mark Deegan (Galway City), Bernie Grealish (Galway City), John Folan (Galway City) Hockey  Director of Sports Award Emer Jackson (Castletown Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath) Camogie Ben Haverty (Athenry, Co. Galway) Men’s Gaelic Football, Hurling David Lynch (Tralee, Co. Kerry) Men’s Gaelic Football Andrew Egan (Galway City), David Mannion (Ballindereen, Co. Galway) Athletics Declan Gbinigie (Galway City), Fortune Igbokwe (Galway City) Basketball Amy O’Sullivan (Ennis, Co. Clare) Volleyball Oisin Murray (Ballyard, Co. Kerry) Athletics Niamh Ní Lochlain (Galway City) Judo Matthew Thompson (Galway City) Men’s Gaelic Football  Gradam Gaelach Award Swimming and Waterpolo Club  Ends

University of Galway and FeelTect partner on study supported by Government’s Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund A groundbreaking clinical trial led by researchers at University of Galway is set to transform how a chronic and debilitating vein condition is treated. Forty patients who suffer from venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are being enrolled in the trial in Ireland, which is being coordinated through the University’s Institute for Clinical Trials, enabling clinicians to monitor and direct treatment remotely, in real-time. The trial is being carried out in partnership with FeelTect, a medical technology start-up based in Spiddal, Co. Galway, as part of funding through the Government’s Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund, managed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and administered through Enterprise Ireland. Patients will be treated using advanced pressure monitoring technology. FeelTect has created a wearable, pressure-sensing device, Tight Alright®, which when paired with a mobile app, can enable clinicians to measure and remotely monitor sub-bandage pressure applied during compression therapy. This supports more consistent compression application with the potential to improve healing rates, reduce treatment costs and enhance patient quality of life.             Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials, University of Galway, said: "This trial reflects the role of the Institute for Clinical Trials as a national centre of excellence in the design and delivery of innovative studies. By integrating decentralised, patient‑centred approaches, we are strengthening Ireland’s clinical research capabilities and supporting the national objective to retain and grow trial activity. Through the Government’s DTIF support, this collaboration with an Irish start-up demonstrates how innovation developed in Ireland can be tested, validated and scaled within our own health system through academic-industry collaborative partnerships.”              Dr Andrew Cameron, Chief Executive of FeelTect, said: “We are delighted to see the commencement of this valuable research, assessing data-driven, connected-health solutions for improving the treatment of venous leg ulcer patients. FeelTect is extremely fortunate to be working with our valued partners in University of Galway, including the Institute for Clinical Trials and Clinical Trials Corrib Research Centre, as well as world class clinicians, ensuring the quality and successful execution of the study. The broader implications of the study relate to the optimisation of compression therapy - a fundamental, first-line treatment for a host of venous and lymphatic diseases.” Over a 90-day period, the research team will assess healing rates of patients, their quality of life and how the FeelTect Tight Alright™ device is used and how the compression treatment is applied. The trial is enabling remote monitoring and data collection - either at home or in local primary care centres. This reduces the need for frequent hospital visits, improves patient comfort and reduces unnecessary clinical visits - an approach which is particularly beneficial for patients with mobility challenges while also allowing clinicians to better understand treatment effectiveness outside a clinical facility. The study is supported by the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway through its Trials Accelerator programme, which provides early-phase setup support. Patients are recruited through Merlin Park Vascular Outpatients clinic, HSE West North West, and community centres in the region. Clinical delivery is being carried out by the CORRIB Core Lab at University of Galway which is responsible for the operational and clinical execution of the trial. Ends  

University of Galway has announced a first-year science student from Co Galway as the recipient of the inaugural Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) Excellence Scholarship for Science.   Mia McHugh from Milltown, Co Galway is studying for a Bachelor of Science, a flexible degree which enables students to explore a broad range of scientific disciplines before specialising in their chosen area.   The CLS Excellence Scholarship for Science aims to remove barriers to, and through, higher education by supporting high-achieving and promising full-time undergraduate students to study Science at University of Galway.   Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) is a leading Irish provider of laboratory testing and analytical services, sponsors the scholarship. With accredited facilities in Galway City, Ros Muc and Dublin, CLS provides services to the pharmaceutical, medical device, food and environmental sectors, with expertise spanning microbiological and analytical testing, regulatory consultancy, quality system support and specialist training.               Mia McHugh, the inaugural recipient of the CLS Excellence Scholarship, said: “I have always had a deep love for science and always knew that that was where my future lay. I would like to sincerely thank CLS for awarding me the Excellence Scholarship. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and it will make a real difference in supporting my education.”               Dr Ann Ryan, Director of Strategic Development, College of Science and Engineering at University of Galway, said: “We are truly delighted to announce Mia as the recipient of the inaugural CLS Excellence Scholarship for Science. Mia’s passion for science, her determination, zest for learning and future ambitions for a career in STEM were all evident from her application. We are extremely grateful to CLS for establishing this Excellence Scholarship, which recognises excellence and will support highly-talented students to achieve their potential.”   Evelyn O’Toole, CEO of Complete Laboratory Solutions, said: “Supporting emerging scientific talent is an investment in our industry’s future and in the communities we serve. CLS is proud to sponsor the Bachelor of Science Scholarship, helping to empower the next generation of scientific leaders. By investing in aspiring science students, CLS is fostering innovation, advancing skills development, and creating meaningful career pathways within Ireland’s growing life sciences sector. The partnership with University of Galway reflects a shared commitment to academic excellence, research, and strong industry collaboration.”   Ends