Mary Immaculate College (MIC) is proud to announce the continuation of its annual GAA Bursary Programme, recognising the outstanding sporting achievements students involved in Gaelic Games. Presented to a total of nine recipients at the recent MIC College Awards night, each bursary, valued at €750, is awarded to students who have excelled within the arena of intervarsity, club, county, or regional Gaelic Games.
These bursaries highlight MIC’s commitment to supporting the development of its students by acknowledging and encouraging their sporting pursuits alongside their academic journey. Presented on the night by Tim Murphy, Vice-Chairperson of Munster GAA, this bursary programme underscores MIC’s recognition of the talent, dedication, and contribution of students to Gaelic Games at all levels.
Caoimhe O’Donoghue is a Second Year Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) student, who received an MIC GAA Bursary Award in recognition of her camogie achievements. Caoimhe was part of the All-Ireland Camogie winning Cork Intermediate Team and trained with the Senior Camogie Team. She has an U16 Munster and All-Ireland medals and received an Electric All-Star with Cork in 2024. Caoimhe also plays with the MIC Purcell Cup Team. In addition, Caoimhe has coached underage teams for several years and has completed a referee’s course. Pictured here with Tim Murphy, Vice-Chairperson of Munster GAA.
Lydia McDonagh is a Second Year Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) student, who received an MIC GAA Bursary Award in recognition of her football achievements. Lydia plays Intermediate Ladies Football with Naomh Abán in Cork and with Cork Senior Ladies Football team. She has won two Munster Minor medals with Cork. She has won medals at Junior County and Munster levels with her club. She played on the All Ireland Intermediate Comortas with her club. She won a Munster LGFA medal with the Cork Senior Ladies Football team. And also plays with the MIC Ladies football team.
Emma D’Arcy is a Third Year Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) student, who received an MIC GAA Bursary Award in recognition of her camogie achievements. Emma plays at intermediate level Camogie with her club Shannon Rovers. For MIC she has played in the Ashbourne Cup and Division 2 competitions. She won a junior championship title with her club. She coaches at Munster GAA Cúl Camps and coaches in her juvenile club.
Joe Caesar is a Second Year Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) student, who received an MIC GAA Bursary Award in recognition of his hurling achievements. Joe plays with the Holycross-Ballycahill club in Tipperary. He also plays with the college Senior Hurling Team and was awarded the Player-of-the Match award in the 2024 Fitzgibbon Cup Final. In Tipperary he was awarded Divisional Young Player of the Year in 2022. Joe coaches’ underage players in training camps in Tipperary.
Vince Harrington is a Third Year Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) student, who received an MIC GAA Bursary Award in recognition of his hurling achievements. Vince plays with the Na Piarsaigh having won numerous titles with them as well as being an assistant coach to their U12 football and hurling teams. He is a member of the Limerick Senior and U20 hurling team, in addition to being a member of the winning MIC Fitzgibbon team in 2024.
Niamh Dunne is a Third Year Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) student, who received an MIC GAA Bursary Award in recognition of her football and camogie achievements. Niamh plays Ladies Football and Camogie with her club Moyne-Templetuohy and plays Ladies Football with MIC at O’Connor Cup Level. She was captain of her school football team that reached the Munster Final in 2020. She played in the U14 Munster ‘B’ Football final with Tipperary, won the Junior ‘A’ League Final in 2024 and won a Junior ‘A’ county final also in 2024.
Sarah Ryan is a Second Year Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) student, who received an MIC GAA Bursary Award in recognition of her football achievements. Sarah plays at Junior ‘A’ level in Ladies Football with Arravale Rovers and plays at senior level with her Camogie club, Knockavilla. She is a member of the Tipperary Senior Football Team and MIC’s O’Connor Cup team. With Arravale Rovers, she has won an U14 Feile title, and Tipperary Football Munster U14 Title and Munster U16 Titles. With Knockavilla, she has won an Intermediate County title. Sarah coaches at U6 and U10 levels with Arravale Rovers and is a Cúl Camp coach.
Daire Culligan is a Second Year Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching), who received an MIC GAA Bursary Award in recognition of his football achievements. Daire plays football with Lissycasey in Co. Clare. Last year he was captain of the Clare Minor Football Team. Daire has played with MIC Fresher Football Team and Senior Football Team. He also is a selector with his club’s U13 football team.
Cian Scully, who was unable to attend on the night of the ceremony, was awarded an GAA Bursary Award in absentia, in recognition of his administration and coaching achievements. Cian plays Senior Hurling with Dromin-Athlacca and Gaelic Football with Banogue in Limerick. With his club he won the Premier Intermediate County Hurling Championship in 2023. He is currently the captain of Limerick U20 Hurling team. He played with the Ard Scoil Rís hurling team that won the Croke Cup in 2022 and has won numerous under age county medals. He was Captain of the MIC Freshers Hurling team. Cian has completed the GAA Future Leaders Transition Year programme and coaches at U16 and U14 levels in his clubs.
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 €500,000 presented on the night in scholarships and bursaries.
For further information on applications for GAA Bursaries, contact Joe.Redington@mic.ul.ie, Gaelic Development Administrator.
Click here to read more about MIC’s Sports Scholarships and Bursaries.
