January Students awarded Connacht GAA bursaries

Twenty-two promising University of Galway students have been awarded bursaries by Connacht GAA.

The awards are made to high-achieving students who play for the University and their clubs in Galway, Roscommon and Mayo and who show potential in ladies’ football, camogie, men’s football, hurling and dual sports.

The annual Connacht GAA bursary scheme has been in place for 15 years providing financial assistance to students who display potential and commitment to Gaelic games as active members of the association and their higher education club.

Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “University of Galway is committed to excellence in research, education and the student experience. A great example of our commitment to the student experience is through facilitating and nurturing our students’ potential in Gaelic games. We commend these students for their dedication in their chosen sport while balancing it with their third level studies and we wish them every success in their university and sporting lives.”

The University has been in partnership with Connacht GAA since 2021, including the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome, the indoor Gaelic games pitch at Connacht’s Centre of Excellence in Bekan, Co Mayo, the largest facility of its type in the world.

Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing, University of Galway, said: “We are very proud of our twenty-two students who have received the 2025 bursaries. The awards reflect the potential of these Connacht GAA players currently studying at University of Galway and exceling in Gaelic games. The University’s partnership with Connacht GAA is strong and this is one of the many contributions Connacht GAA make to the third level Gaelic Games community.

“The bursary will be very beneficial to our students who are members of the University Gaelic games clubs and their home community clubs. It can be challenging for students financially so this support from Connacht GAA is very welcomed. It will help our students balance their studies, work and sporting life.”    

The Connacht GAA bursaries have been unveiled as University of Galway plans to host the prestigious Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA and Camogie Championship Finals for 2025.

The finals take place at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence and the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome from February 8^th to 15^th.

Cathal Cregg, Connacht GAA Council Games manager, said: “The purpose of this bursary scheme is to honour young people who have excelled in the GAA. This year we have selected 62 outstanding people, all of whom will contribute to the GAA club and life in their colleges. Not just players but also young administrators who are involved in their college as team trainers and club officers are also beneficiaries in the scheme.”

The University of Galway bursary recipients are:

Caitlin Boyle, LGFA, Kilkerrin/Clonberne, Galway

Eoin Colleran, Football, Padraig Pearses, Roscommon

Niall Collins, Hurling, Cappatagle, Galway

Diarmuid Davoren, Hurling, Moycullen, Galway

Cathal Donoghue, Football, Oughterard, Galway

Shea Fallon, Dual, Moylough, Galway

Luke Feeney, Football, Ballina Stephenites, Mayo

Jack Keane, Football, Hollymount/Carramore, Mayo

Aoife Kelly, Camogie, Salthill/Knocknacarra, Galway

Siofra Kelly, Dual, Turloughmore, Galway

Cullen Killeen, Hurling, Loughrea, Galway

Freya Leenane, Camogie, Oranmore Maree, Galway

John MacMonagle, Football, Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo

Kayla Madden, Camogie, Athenry, Galway

Ava McDonnell, LGFA, St Brigids, Mayo

Michael Moran, Dual, St Dominics, Roscommon

Darragh Neary, Dual, Castlegar/St James, Galway

Leana Nic Dhonncha, Camogie, Liam Mellows, Galway

Ben O’Donovan, Hurling, Gort, Galway

Jack O’Neill, Football, St James’, Galway

Éabha O’Riordan, LGFA, Claregalway, Galway

Joshua Ryan, Hurling, Clarinbridge HC, Galway

A record number of 62 promising young Connacht GAA players and administrators have been included in the annual bursary scheme for this year, with students from all five counties of the province.

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