PICTURES: Tipperary women honoured with special awards at MIC
Pictured at the recent Mary Immaculate College Awards Ceremony was Sarah Ryan from Tipperary Town, who was awarded the Rachel Kenneally Bursary.
Offered in memory of MIC graduate and Tipperary Ladies Footballer, Rachel Kenneally, the annual bursary is awarded to a Ladies Footballer who is studying at Mary Immaculate College and plays for MIC’s LGFA team.
Sarah was captain of the Tipperary minor football team in 2023, and is already a member of the Tipperary senior squad.
She plays club football with Arravale Rovers in Tipperary Town, and camogie with Knockavilla Doneskeigh Kickhams.
A first year Bachelor of Education (B Ed) student, she was a member of the MIC team that won the national senior freshers’ championship for the first time ever in October 2023.
Gretta Nugent from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Gretta, a first year Bachelor of Education (B Ed) student received an MIC GAA Bursary Award, valued at €750, in recognition of her achievements in Ladies Football.
Gretta plays at minor and senior levels with her club Ballymacarbery in Co. Waterford and has numerous county titles with them.
In 2019, she played with Waterford U16 team that reached the All-Ireland Final. Gretta was captain of Loreto College, Clonmel in 2023.
She has put her hand to refereeing and assisting in coaching in underage levels in Waterford.
Sinéad Walsh from Lahardane, Co. Mayo who received an MIC Elite Sports Scholarship Bronze award (valued at €1,000) in recognition of her success in Ladies Football.
The scheme is open to any MIC student who has demonstrated their abilities as outstanding athletes and is aimed at helping the awardees balance dedication to furthering their academic and sporting prowess.
The Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of former MIC staff members and sporting stalwarts Noreen Lynch and Leonard Enright.
A first year Bachelor of Education (B Ed) student, Sinéad has represented her county in Ladies Football since an early age and first tasted success when she was vice-captain in Mayo’s All Ireland winning U14 footballers in 2017.
Sinéad helped Mayo to Connacht finals in 2018 and 2019 at U16 level and in 2021 at Minor level.
She made her debut with the Senior Ladies team in 2022 where she scored 4-6 during its League Campaign and later scored 1-8 during the Championship, when Mayo reached the All-Ireland semi-final stages.
She scored 3-6 in the 2023 League campaign before scoring 2-7 in the Championship, including a Player of the Match performance against Laois, as Mayo again reached the last four.
At club level, Sinead plays for Machale Rovers and was a member of the team that reached the 2020 Intermediate County finals in 2020, and won the Mayo Club Minor Championship in 2021
The annual MIC College Awards Ceremony, held in the Lime Tree Theatre, saw almost 150 students, graduates and alumni from MIC being recognised for their academic and other notable achievements with just under €600,000 presented on the night in scholarships and bursaries.
Pic: Don Moloney