Scholarships are awarded to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Financial bursary: scholarship funding assists students with sports and university-related expenses (e.g. sporting equipment, travel costs associated with sport) and its purpose is to free up time from part-time work commitments for our scholars.
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Concession of up to 60 CAO points if required: scholars must meet minimum entry requirements for their chosen degree. Other minimum requirements apply. For MH001/MH002 Education - Primary Teaching and MH412 BSc/BBA Business with Sport Science, a limited number of places is available for the 60 points concession. No limit on places applies to other degrees however. Click here for details of all entry requirements.
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Priority on-campus accommodation in first year (allocation of accommodation places at discretion of Development Officers). Normal fees apply to scholars.
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Access to expert coaching and fitness training
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Sports psychology and time management workshops
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Health and nutrition advice
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Performance analysis
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Ongoing academic support
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Goal setting, performance planning and career advice
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Individual functional health screening leading to fitness, strength and conditioning programmes
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Access to top level coaches and playing facilities
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Free gym membership
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Access to cardiovascular fitness suite and free weights gym
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Medical and physiotherapy support
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Fitness testing and analysis
Eligibility criteria
Scholarships are reserved for students who have reached, or have the potential to reach a very high level of performance, competing at one or a combination of international, national, inter-provincial and inter-county level.
Leaving Certificate applicants:
- Required to meet the normal matriculation/minimum entry requirements and any special course requirements
- May receive up to 60 CAO points to assist in bridging any points shortfall for admission to preferred level 8 degree. Sport scholarship applicants must achieve at least 300 points in their best six Leaving Certificate subjects.
QQI applicants:
- Minimum requirement of full award (8 modules) with 5 distinctions in a linked award. The maths requirement for specific degrees may be satisfied by having the grade in the Leaving Certificate, GC(S)E or other school leaving examinations or by attaining a distinction in maths or statistics module in the QQI award.
Postgraduate applications:
- Considered on a case-by-case basis.
Renewal Criteria:
- Scholarships are renewed on an annual basis subject to certain conditions being met. Scholars must:
- Maintain a satisfactory level of academic achievement
- Maintain an impressive record of sporting achievement
- Take an active role in the relevant sports club within Maynooth University
- Compete on behalf of Maynooth University at inter varsity competitions
- Visit schools or participate in Open Days to discuss sporting talent and opportunities at Maynooth University
- Remain in good standing with the University
In the event of a student terminating a sports scholarship agreement, he or she shall not be eligible for a Maynooth University sports scholarship for the remainder of that year and the subsequent academic year.
Former professional Barry Prenderville is the Soccer Development Officer and manages the Soccer Scholarship programme.
Specific benefits of soccer scholarship at MU:
- Pathway to the national league’s topflight (links with local national league clubs)
- Access to the highest standard third level soccer competition (CUFL & IUFU WSCAI)
Specific requirements for MU soccer scholarship applicants:
- Scholarships are intended for student athletes with proven or perceived potential to perform at a high level
- Application is open to all regardless of which school or club you are currently play for.
Recent Achievements:
CUFL (Colleges and Universities Football League
Women's Soccer
CUFL Champions 2014/15 , 2017/18 , 2019/20. Finalists 2018/19 , 2022/23
Kelly Champions 2016/17, Finalists 2018/19
Men's Senior
CUFL Champions 2022/23 , Finalists 2013/14
Collingwood Cup Champions 2013/14
Men's Intermediate
Crowley Cup Champions 2011/12 , 2019/20, Finalists 2021/22, 2022/23
Men's Fresher
CUFL Division 3 Champions 2014/15, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2021/22, 2022/23
Harding Cup Champions 2012/13 , Finalists 2019/20
(01) 7086054
barry.prenderville@mu.ie
Find the Soccer Club on Facebook and Twitter
Former MU Soccer Scholar - Republic of Ireland player Amber Barrett
In Maynooth University there are opportunities for both elite and non-elite players to participate in Gaelic games and to represent the university in higher education competitions. The GAA Club is the largest club on campus with 15 teams in operation. There are opportunities for students to get involved in club committees, video analysis and stats roles, coaching and promotional roles.
MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY GAA TEAMS:
- Men's Gaelic Football - Sigerson and Fresher Division One
- Hurling- Fitzgibbon and Fresher Division One
- Ladies' Football - Division One
- Camogie - Division One
- Handball
MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY GAA HIGH PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
Scholarships are available to both male and female students on full time registered courses.
Eligibility is based on an applicant’s ability to continuously demonstrate a high level of performance at inter county level in one of the following codes:
- Mens Gaelic Football
- Ladies Football
- Hurling
- Camogie
Maynooth University GAA club provides a holistic approach to developing our athletes as both individual and team players. This is achieved through a network of student support services, performance programmes, expertise, and top class facilities including our new on campus High Performance Team Gym, highly experienced coaching staff and strength and conditioning support systems. Our programme offers valuable support to students in their pursuit of sporting and academic excellence.
HIGH PERFORMANCE SUPPORTS
- MU High Performance Team Gym access
- Access to S&C, Nutrition & Sports Psychology support
- Medical & Physio Support
- Access to Stats Sports GPS tracker
- Fitness Testing Analysis
- Access to on campus accommodation (Limited Availability)
- High Performance Seminars
- Player Development Tracking Support via RYPT Application
- Career Development and Academic Support
- Video Analysis Support
- 60 CAO Points Concession (Limited availability for MH001 course)
- Financial Bursary (Dependant on award)
Incoming first year applicants
- Scholarship applications open for incoming first year CAO applicants in November annually. Closing date for incoming CAO applicants is April 1st annually. The link to the online application form can be accessed from November. See applying tab above.
- The minimum requirement to apply is to represent your county at minor grade upwards e.g. U20 & Senior.
- Eligibility is based on an applicant's ability to continuously demonstrate a high level of performance at county level
- To be eligible to play under Higher Education rules, please see www.gaa.ie/highereducation
Continuing and postgraduate applicants (2nd - 6th year)
Scholarship applications open in August yearly for continuing and postgraduate students to apply to the High Performance Programme. The application link to apply for this scholarship opportunity can be accessed on the Maynooth Uni GAA social media pages.
Croi Laighean Scholarship Award (2nd – 6th year)
The Credit Union sponsor a scholarship award for a Maynooth University GAA recipient that resides in the Credit Union’s Common Bond, worth €2000. This award is open to continuing and post graduate students only. Interested candidates can apply for this award via the continuing/post graduate process in August yearly.
MUGAA/GPA Enhanced Scholarship Awards (Post Graduate applicants only)
Maynooth University GAA have partnered with the GPA to co-fund four post graduate scholarships to GPA members. Eligible members who wish to apply for this scholarship must have successfully acquired a post graduate course offer in Maynooth University. Interested candidates can apply for this award in June yearly by emailing a CV and Cover letter to karen@gaelicplayers.com
Maynooth University GAA Club Alumni
David McInerney (Clare Senior Hurler & All Star)
Padraig Walsh (Kilkenny Senior Hurler & All Star)
Paddy Deegan (Kilkenny Senior Hurler & All Star Nominee)
Brian Hogan (Tipperary Senior Hurler & All Star)
Bernard Brogan (Dublin Senior Footballer & All Star)
Marc Ó Sé (Kerry Senior Footballer & All Star)
Michael Darragh MacAuley (Dublin Senior Footballer, All Star and GAA/GPA Player of The Year)
Daniel Flynn (Kildare Senior Footballer & All Star Nominee)
Jimmy Hyland (Kildare Senior Footballer & U20 GAA Player of the Year)
Eve O’Brien (Dublin Senior Camogie)
Linda Bolger (Wexford Senior Camogie)
Kristina Troy (Meath Senior Camogie & Soaring Star Recipient)
Kate Nolan (Carlow Senior Camogie & Junior Player of the Year)
Ciara Trant (Dublin Senior Ladies & All Star)
Roisin Byrne (Kildare Senior Ladies & All Star Nominee)
Grainne McGlade (Cavan Senior Ladies)
Karen Hegarty (Westmeath Senior Ladies)
For more information contact
Jenny Duffy, GAA Development Officer
+ 353 1 708 3321 / jenny.duffy@mu.ie
Find us on Facebook and Twitter
Mary Kate Lynch - GAA Scholar and Psychology Graduate
Barry Fennelly is the Golf Manager and manages the Golf Scholarship programme.
Maynooth University, in association with Carton House, Oceanico Group, the Golfing Union of Ireland and the R&A are offering top amateur golfers the opportunity to combine a high performance training & competition schedule with study for an internationally recognised degree course.The Paddy Harrington golf scholarship programme schedule comprises up to 10 hours training per week and up to 12 hours coaching per month through our specialist scholarship support team. Our scholars have access to state of the art training facilities and coaches who specialise in key areas like technical development, fitness training, mental fitness and performance analysis, nutrition and lifestyle management and physiotherapy. Full scholars also get the opportunity of warm weather training during the winter months.
Scholarship scheme members compete in our weekly Golfer of the Year competition at Carton House and neighbouring golf courses. The tournament schedule comprises of the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) & Irish Ladies Golfing Union (ILGU) Intervarsity golf competition programme, the British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Golf Invitational (WAGR) events as well as some other elite tournaments including the R&A Foundation Bursary Tournament at St. Andrews, Scotland. During the summer the scholars compete in the GUI – Barton Shield & Senior Cup.
CATEGORIES OF GOLF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:
Platinum (High Performance Squad)
• Access to the GUI National Academy and Carton House Golf Club
• Full access to high performance golf support services
• World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) collegiate tournament schedule
• Warm weather training camps
• Financial support for on-campus accommodation
• Funding to subside competition entry, travel and other sports related costs based on a performance plan which has been agreed by the Golf Manager
• R&A Foundation Individual Scholarships
Gold (Scholarship Squad)
• Access to the GUI National Academy and Carton House Golf Club
• Access to high performance golf coaching and support services
• World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) collegiate tournament schedule
• Warm weather training camps
• Priority on-campus accommodation
• R&A Foundation Individual Scholarships
Silver (Observation Squad)
• Access to the GUI National Academy and Carton House Golf Club
• Access to golf coaching and support services at subsidised rates
• Funding to subsidise participation at Intervarsity competitions
REQUIREMENTS FOR GOLF APPLICANTS:
• Hold a handicap of Scratch or better for men / 2 or better for women
• Hold a excellent profile of performance at National & International events at U18 level or beyond
• Hold a ranking on WAGR
• Have a desire to reach the pinnacle of the amateur game
GOLF SCHOLARSHIP PRIVILEGES:
Facilities:
• Access to World Class Facilities on the University’s doorstep;
-GUI National Academy and Carton House Golf Club
-Trackman Technology and Titleist National Fitting Centre
-Two championships golf course at Carton House Golf Club
-The Royal Dublin Golf Club Championship links course
-Priority on-campus accommodation
Coaching:
• Access to High performance golf support services;
-Golf coaching & technical development
-Performance analysis through a statistical software programme
-Strength & conditioning,
-Sports psychology workshops and consultations
-Performance nutrition workshops and consultations
- Essential clothing and equipment
Financial Support:
• Access to R&A Foundation Individual Scholarship Scheme
• Funding to subsidise on-campus accommodation (*depending on category of scholarship award)
• Funding to subside competition entry, travel and other sports related costs
Tournaments:
- Access to a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) collegiate tournament schedule;
- Golfing Union of Ireland & Irish Ladies Golf Union - Irish Student Series Championships
- British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Golf - (WAGR) Invitational events
- International Collegiate events - Patriot All America, Arizona, USA among others
- European Sport Association (EUSA) - European University Golf Championships
- International University Sports Federation (FISU)-World University Games & Golf Championship
More information from Golf Manager, Barry Fennelly.
0861675056.
barry.fennelly@mu.ie
Find the Golf Club on Facebook and Twitter
Tom McKeown is Rugby Development Officer at Maynooth University.
Categories of rugby scholarship:
• Full entry to Rugby Program to include full supports, bursary and CAO points concession if eligible
• Full entry to Rugby program to include full supports and CAO points concession if eligible
Specific requirements for Rugby applicants:
• Complete online application
• Outstanding achievement and references in school or club rugby
• Exclusive commitment to the University’s Club, MU Barnhall RFC
• Show well in your club/school performances to visits or provide footage where applicable
Recent achievements:
• Full representation in IURFU’s Dudley, Kay Bowen and Conroy Cup
• Players representing Irish Universities (IURU)
• JP Flanagan Leinster U20 Premier Division 2 League champions x 2, premier 1 qualification
• All-Ireland League, Division 2A
For more information contact Tom McKeown, Rugby Development Officer
(01) 7086065
thomas.mckeown@mu.ie
Find the Maynooth University Barnhall Rugby Club (MU Barnhall) on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
A number of snooker scholarships are available, supported by the Snooker and Billiards Ireland. More information is available from Sports Officer Paul Davis.
(01) 7083824
paul.davis@mu.ie
Carded athletes (Irish Institute of Sport): if you are an athlete carded by the Irish Sports Council and playing a recognised sport not listed above, you may be considered for CAO points concessions under that programme.
These applications are reviewed by the Sport Scholarship Committee.
Contact Paul Davis, Sports Officer for further details:
(01) 7083824
paul.davis@mu.ie
CAO Points Concession Application for High Performance Athletes: the consideration criteria are national representation and international results.
If you are competing and proving yourself at a national/international level you can apply under Sports Scholarship - Carded Athlete for up to 60 CAO points concession to help you get your MU course of choice, subject to you achieving a minimum of 300 points on your own merit and coming within 60 CAO points of your chosen course.
In addition, we have a capitation budget to provide some financial support MU students who are selected by their NGB to represent Ireland at squad training camps and international competition.
These applications are reviewed by the Sport Scholarship Committee.
Contact Paul Davis, Sports Officer for further details.
(01) 7083824
paul.davis@mu.ie
