Maynooth University congratulates Grace Drumgoole, a First Year Bachelor of Education student at the University, who was one of seven recipients of a bursary from the Camogie Association.
Launched to mark the 120th anniversary of the Camogie Association, the bursaries are designed to support students to remain engaged with camogie during the course of their studies to be primary teachers.
The Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries are supported by philanthropist Carmel Naughton and are valued at €5,000 per year, for each year of the four-year BEd Programme.
Grace, who plays for Glenealy in Co Wicklow and is studying in MU’s Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, says that camogie has been a part of her life from her first year in primary school.
“It took a lot of dedication and hard work to continue playing both club and county while trying to get into the Froebel BEd programme. I also don’t think I could have done it without sport as it was the escape I needed from the stress and the books. I am beyond grateful for this bursary as it will give me the freedom to continue my studies alongside my sport for my time in college.”
MU’s GAA Development Manager, Jenny Duffy said: "The Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursary Award is a fantastic acknowledgement of the next generation of female leaders in Camogie. At Maynooth University, our primary teaching students have consistently been outstanding ambassadors for the GAA community.
"Heartfelt congratulations to Grace on this well-deserved achievement. A sincere thank you to Carmel Naughton for her generous support of this bursary programme, which highlights the vital role teachers play in fostering and promoting our national sport across the country."
The bursaries were launched at an event in Croke Park on Saturday, 16 November.
Speaking at the presentation, Carmel Naughton said: “Friends often say ‘Carmel, why camogie?’ I am surprised that they don’t understand that down through the centuries, the sliotar and hurl have been such an important part of our national heritage. Yes, I do appreciate this new world of cultural diversity and how important that is for Ireland, but we must also treasure and hold fast to the traditions that make us unique in Europe and the world.”
Brian Molloy, Uachtarán of the Camogie Association added: “The Camogie Association is absolutely delighted to partner with Carmel Naughton in this extremely generous initiative marking our 120th anniversary this year. The Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries provide student teachers with vital financial support when they are balancing their commitments to their studies with their continued involvement in the camogie community. I wish the recipients the very best with their studies and continued success on and off the camogie pitch over the coming years.”
Other recipients of the bursaries are students in St Mary’s University College, Belfast, Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education and the Institute of Education in Dublin City University.