January O'Donovan Rossa Teams up with NUI Galway

The National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway) has announced that it will continue its partnership with O’Donovan Rossa Club as club sponsors, promoting both sport and education within the region.

Attending the event were NUI Galway’s Registrar and Deputy President, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Mayor of Belfast Daniel Baker and representatives from O'Donovan Rossa under-16 hurling, camogie and football teams who tried on their new kit.

Speaking at today’s announcement, Registrar and Deputy President, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh said: “Investing in young sporting talent is extremely important to us. Not only does it improve outcomes on the pitch, but dedication to sport is later reflected in a commitment to education and developing a career by applying skills such as determination, resilience, team work and communication.”

Jane Adams, one of Ulster’s most decorated camogie stars and a Rossa legend, said: “I’m delighted that NUI Galway are renewing their sponsorship of Rossa under 16 and minor teams. I’m absolutely thrilled that their sponsorship is going to be extended to include girl footballers and the camogie teams.”

Sport at NUI Galway recognises the relationship between academic performance, health and well-being. The Sport and Recreation Unit has a mission to promote participation in sport and physical activities by all students and staff, and to support higher standards of performance in sport for elite athletes and teams within NUI Galway. Over 6,000 students in NUI Galway are participating in weekly sporting activities, and 43% of these students are competing in a new sport for the very first time.

Margaret Flynn, Chairperson of Rossa GAC, commented: “Renewing and developing our strong links with a world-renowned university like NUI Galway will help our underage teams to continue to improve. We believe that the majority of our young players will be going to university in the near future and it is tremendous that O’Donovan Rossa has such a close connection with a university like NUI Galway.”

The announcement comes at a time when universities in the Republic are becoming more accessible to students from the North. Professor Ó Dochartaigh said: “The recent introduction of new, fairer A Level equivalences in the system in the Republic mean almost all courses are now within the reach of students with three A-Levels, and all are within reach if you have an AS as well. Every year, NUI Galway welcomes a strong cohort of students from across the North to study on our 71 undergraduate degrees. Low fees, the relatively affordable cost of living and its sheer proximity, NUI Galway is becoming an option for students in Northern Ireland to consider.”

In October 2019, NUI Galway confirmed that in 2020 and beyond students who have been resident in Northern Ireland and have UK/EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship will be treated as EU students for the purposes of fees for the duration of their courses. The decision was taken by the University to provide certainty to A Level students as they make their college choices over the coming months. The fee status decision also extends to postgraduate students enrolling in 2020. For further information on applying to NUI Galway and Free Fees Initiative eligibility http://www.nuigalway.ie/undergrad-admissions/faqs/

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