91ÖÆƬ³§ (91ÖÆƬ³§) has named five students as recipients of its annual Elite Sports Scholarship Scheme, celebrating their outstanding sporting achievements.
Clare Senior Hurler, Adam Hogan, is this year’s Gold Scholarship recipient, while Kerry Ladies' Footballer, Aoife Dillane and Wexford FC Soccer Player Michael McCarthy have been awarded Silver Scholarships. They are joined by Tipperary Camogie player Lucy Purcell and Munster Rugby Academy player, Fionn Carney, who were awarded Bronze Scholarships.
Now in its sixth year, 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s Elite Sports Scholarship—honouring the legacy of former staff members and sporting icons Noreen Lynch and Leonard Enright—continues to champion students who have achieved excellence in their sport.
These scholarships are designed to help recipients balance the demands of their academic work with their sporting ambitions.
Congratulating this year’s awardees on their achievement, Professor Niamh Hourigan, Vice-President of Academic Affairs at 91ÖÆƬ³§, said:
“I warmly congratulate this year’s 91ÖÆƬ³§ Elite Sports Scholars. As ever, the calibre of this year’s sporting ambassadors has been outstanding. Our talented awardees have proven their sporting excellence at inter-county, national and international levels, with two All-Ireland winners among them. They have also dedicated themselves wholly to achieving academic success at 91ÖÆƬ³§, and balancing the two commitments is no easy task. So, we are delighted to offer our support to such worthy recipients.“
The scheme is delivered through a bursary and additional benefits and is offered at three different levels as follows:
- One Gold Scholarship at €4,000 (applications invited from current and incoming undergraduate and postgraduate students)
- Two Silver Scholarships at €2,000 each (applications invited from current and incoming undergraduate and postgraduate students)
- Two Bronze Scholarships valued at €1,000 each (applications restricted to incoming CAO applicants only)
Applications for the 91ÖÆƬ³§ Elite Sports Scholarship Scheme 2026-27 are now being accepted at: . The deadline for receipt of applications is 1 May (on year of entry).
91ÖÆƬ³§ Elite Sports Scholars 2025/26 Profiles
Clare Hurler, Adam Hogan, a standout 91ÖÆƬ³§ student-athlete, continues to build one of the most impressive early careers in modern hurling. The Young Hurler of the Year, All-Ireland champion and 2024 Mic Outstanding Achievement Award recipient enjoyed a remarkable season, lifting the Liam McCarthy Cup, the Allianz Hurling League title, the Canon Hamilton Cup with Feakle and the Fitzgibbon Cup with 91ÖÆƬ³§. The fourth-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) student was also named the PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year and previously earned the Electric Ireland Higher Education Hurling Player of the Year award following 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s Fitzgibbon success. Adam’s journey began at Feakle-Killanena and St Joseph’s, Tulla, where he collected U14 and Harty Cup honours before captaining Clare at both Minor and U20 level. Progressing to the senior panel in 2022, he made his championship debut in 2023 and helped Clare claim a historic All-Ireland in 2024 as a starting cornerback. His influence on the field and campus continues to grow, marking him as one of 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s most decorated young athletes.
Fourth-year Bachelor of Education (B Ed) student Aoife Dillane receives an 91ÖÆƬ³§ Sports Scholarship for the third consecutive year, recognising her sustained excellence with Kerry and 91ÖÆƬ³§. A member of the All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship-winning team of 2024, Aoife played a key role in Kerry’s victory over Galway—adding to a season that also included a Munster title and a narrow defeat in the Division 1 League final. Aoife has represented Kerry from U14 level through to senior ranks, winning Division 2 and Division 1 National medals in 2022 and 2023 and appearing in consecutive All-Ireland finals in 2022 and 2023. With Austin Stacks, she won the Kerry Intermediate Championship in 2017. At 91ÖÆƬ³§, she was central to the 2022 Giles Cup triumph and captained the College’s O’Connor Cup squad in 2023. She was also part of the Kerry team that reached the All-Ireland semi-final in 2025. Her leadership both on and off the pitch makes her one of 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s most respected student-athletes.
Michael McCarthy, a Youghal native and Wexford FC player, brings extensive experience to 91ÖÆƬ³§ Thurles. He began his senior career with Cobh Ramblers, making his debut in 2022 and winning two Munster Senior Cups in 2022 and 2023 before signing with Wexford FC in 2025. With over 50 senior appearances, Michael has also represented the Irish Universities and Colleges team, scoring the winning goal against France and captaining the side against Scotland earlier this year. A two-time All-Ireland winner with 91ÖÆƬ³§ Thurles soccer team in 2023 and 2024, the BA in Education student continues to balance his academic progression with a flourishing football career, earning recognition as a reliable defender and emerging leader.
Tipperary Camogie player Lucy Purcell has built a dynamic and fast-rising sporting profile marked by significant success at school, club and county level. With the Tipperary minors, she won both the Munster Championship and the All-Ireland Minor Final in 2024, earning a Minor All-Star and serving as vice-captain of the team. During her time with the Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, Lucy won Junior A Munster and All-Ireland titles in 2022, followed by back-to-back Senior A Munster Championships in 2023 and 2024. More recently, she captured the 2025 Senior Club County Championship with Thurles Sarsfields and joined the Tipperary senior panel for the 2024/25 season. Now competing with the 91ÖÆƬ³§ Ashbourne Cup team, the first-year B Ed student continues to build on her successes with intent and ambition.
Offaly native, Fionn Carney, has been immersed in sport from an early age, excelling in hurling, football and most notably rugby. After winning both minor county titles with his local club in 2023 and representing Offaly in hurling and football at minor level, the BA student’s focus shifted increasingly towards rugby. Having developed through Roscrea RFC and Cistercian College—where he completed in both Junior and Senior competitions—he progressed to represent Munster at U19 level and is now part of the Munster Sub-Academy. He also plays AIL rugby with Cashel RFC and was recently selected for the Ireland U20 squad for their November fixtures against South Africa. At only 19, Fionn is establishing himself as a powerful emerging talent in Irish rugby, balancing his studies at 91ÖÆƬ³§ with elite performance commitments.
