*Clare’s Chloe Towey, Aisling Morrissey and Robin Mounsey. Photograph: Brian Arthur
Eight Clare sportspeople, were among the 56 international athletes to receive the Limerick Institute of Technology Sports Scholarship this academic year.
Honoured at a special event on Tuesday afternoon at LIT’s Moylish Campus. Keynote speaker World Rugby Referee and former LIT Sport Scholarship recipient Joy Neville spoke of the value of sports scholarships and the opportunities open to the recipients during their time at LIT.
Barefield’s Chloe Towey (camogie/ladies football), Clare senior footballer Gavin Cooney (gaelic football), Aisling Morrissey of Cooraclare (ladies football), ex Clare U21 goalkeeper Killian Nugent (hurling), Cobh Ramblers’ Lee Devitt (soccer), Tara McEvoy (swimming/lifesaving), Meg Brennan (basketball) and Robin Mounsey from Ruan (hurling) were the Clare students honoured.
In its third year, the new LIT’s Sports Scholarship Programme provides athletic support, focuses on individual welfare, and includes off-field mentoring and education support to its recipients.This year’s recipients excel at a number of sports including basketball, camogie, hurling, Gaelic football, handball, rugby, kickboxing and swimming.
President of LIT, Prof Vincent Cunnane, described the scholarships as reflective of LIT’s ethos – supporting its students to be the best they can be in their chosen field, while also ensuring they have the skillset and knowledge to succeed long after they graduate from LIT.
“It is important to understand that first and foremost these young athletes are part of an institution which recognises them as a member of its community. That means valuing them and supporting them in a balanced way. It’s about what happens off the field and off the track as much as on it.
Former LIT GAA Development Officer Paul Browne who has just taken up the position of Games Development Officer with Limerick GAA was also recognised the event for his contribution to sport at LIT. Sports stars including international ruby referee Joy Neville, hurling All Stars Seamus Callanan and Peter Duggan and Irish boxer Christina Desmond have previously received this scholarship from LIT.
