Thirteen third-level students from Donegal have received bursaries from the Ulster GAA Student Bursary Scheme at an event held recently at St Mary’s University College Belfast.
Damien McGowan (ATU Donegal and Dungloe), Eoghan Scott (DCU and Glenswilly), Matthew Winters (DCU and Letterkenny Gaels), Cormac Kelly (DCU and Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin), Senan Rooney (St Mary’s and Aodh Ruadh), Daniel McIntyre (TUD and Four Masters), Rían Gallagher (Trinity College and Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin), Maitiú Clerkin (TUD and Ardara), Ryan McGeoghegan (Ulster University and Malin), Emma Neeson (Ulster University and Red Hughs), Kevin Curran (Ulster University and Burt), Adam Hanlon (Ulster University and Naomh Conaill), Niamh Boyle (Ulster University and Naomh Columba) are the Donegal reciepients.
Now in its 18th year, the Bursary Scheme, worth a total of €30,000 for the 2025/26 academic year, supports members of the Association who are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course at a university or third-level college and who are active participants in their Higher Education club.
All nine counties in the province were represented in this year’s scheme. Recipients were selected based on their playing, coaching and/or administrative contributions within Higher Education Colleges GAA.
A total of 151 applications were received for 2025/26. Following a rigorous selection process involving Ulster GAA, the higher education colleges and the Gaelic Players Association, 59 students were successfully awarded a bursary.
Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan thanked all students who applied and acknowledged their continued work in promoting Gaelic games within the higher education sector.
“The GAA Student Bursary Scheme highlights young people who are thriving within our Association, and Ulster GAA is proud to support this initiative once again this year.
We are pleased to acknowledge and reward 60 exceptional Gaels who have made valuable contributions to their college GAA clubs, whether on the field, on the sidelines, or through their work on club committees.
I commend their commitment and enthusiasm for promoting Gaelic games in Higher Education, and we hope these bursaries will assist them in balancing their academic pursuits with their sporting responsibilities.”
