Sports Scholarships and bursaries valued at €35,000 were awarded today (Monday, 4 November) to NUI Galway elite sports athletes. The awards, which include 12 Scholarships, valued at €2,000 each and 13 Bursaries valued at €1,000 each, of which three are sponsored by Guinness, were presented by Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, President of NUI, Galway. This is the sixth year of the Sports Scholarships programme.

Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh said that the Sports Scholarships are intended "to offer young sportsmen and sportswomen of exceptional ability and potential, an opportunity to compete at the highest level of their sport, while pursuing an academic programme of study."

Mr. Tony Regan, NUI, Galway's Sports and Recreation Officer said that the Sports Scholarship programme has proved to be an outstanding success. "The scholarships are designed to develop individual talent and to maintain the University's sporting tradition", he said. "Among those who have benefited from the scheme since its inception are Éadaoin Ní Challaráin, Olympic athlete; Paul Hession, Irish sprint champion; Declan Meehan, member of the victorious Galway All-Ireland Football team; and Tony Griffin, inter-county All-Ireland hurling star from Ennis, Co. Clare.

The winners of the Sports Scholarships for 2002/2003 are:

Soccer
Kevin Walsh Shrule, Co. Galway
Kevin Monahan Tuam, Co. Galway
Mens Gaelic
Michael Meehan Caltra, Co. Galway
Clive Monahan Headford, Co. Galway
Ladies Gaelic
Clare O'Hara Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Hurling
Damien Joyce Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Rowing
David Mannion Knocknacarra, Galway
Paul Giblin Headford Rd., Galway
Rugby
Martin Glynn Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Mens Athletics
David Kelly Cartron View, Sligo
Ladies Athletics
Catherine Casserly Tuam Road, Castlegar
Camogie
Caroline Murray Loughrea, Co. Galway

Recipients of the Sports Bursaries are:

Cycling
David Brennan Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Athletics
Emma O'Doherty Donegal Town, Donegal
Baketball
Karen O'Sullivan Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Mens Gaelic
Michael O'Dwyer Ennis, Co. Clare
Hurling
Tony Óg Regan Rahoon, Galway
Tomás O'Donovan Clonlara, Co. Clare
John Culkin Abbeyknockmoy, Co. Galway
Gerry O'Grady Crusheen, Co. Clare
Rowing
Robert Cronin Blackrock, Cork
Squash
Siobhan Parker Rosses Point, Sligo
Camogie
Lizzie Glennon Four Roads, Co. Roscommon
Hockey
Caitlin Friel Barna, Co. Galway
Soccer
Sean Bradshaw Moycullen, Co. Galway

Information from:Máire Mhic Uidhir, Press Officer, NUI Galway. Tel. 091 750418