Irish Olympic Stars Amongst Sports Scholarship Recipients

Posted on: 30 November 2012

Twenty students were awarded Sports Scholarships by Trinity College Dublin at a special presentation on November 28th last.  Amongst the recipients are 3rd year student Natalya Coyle (Modern Pentathlon) and Freshman Scott Flanigan (Sailing), both of whom participated at the ultimate sporting stage in London this summer at the Olympic Games.

Presented by double Olympic Hockey medallist and CEO of the Olympic Council of Ireland, Dr Stephen Martin, MBE, a total of 11 sports are represented in this year’s list of awards. Through the Sports Scholarship Programme talented sports students are offered a comprehensive support package to assist with their aspiration of sporting excellence alongside academic achievement.

Commenting on the value of the Sports Scholarship Programme to the College, Head of Sport & Recreation, Michelle Tanner, said: “These students are phenomenal. They are role models and an inspiration to us all. In this, the 20th year of the Sports Scholarship Programme, Trinity College recognises evermore the importance of supporting these students through academic flexibility and providing the right environment in which they can excel both as a sportsperson and an individual”.

Natalya Coyle, Trinity Sports Scholarship recipient and Olympian, Prof Cyril Smyth, Chairman, DUCAC, Dr Stephen Martin (MBE), CEO, Olympic Council of Ireland, Scott Flanigan, Trinity Sports Scholarship recipient and Olympian and Michelle Tanner, Head of Sport and Recreation, TCD. 

Natalya Coyle was the first female to represent Ireland in Modern Pentathlon at the Olympics and achieved an amazing 9th place finish on the final day of competition in London.  Natalya’s ability to balance the rigours of competing at the highest level, alongside academic commitments, is made possible by the flexibility afforded to her by Trinity College in respect of her studies.

Fellow Olympian Scott Flanigan is a first-time recipient of a Trinity Sports Scholarship having deferred his entry to Trinity for a year to concentrate on qualification and competing at the Games in London.  Scott was the youngest competitor in the 470 Class event and his sights are now very firmly set on Rio Games in 2016.

The list of the 2012/13 academic Sports Scholarship recipients reflects a depth of talent at club, county, provincial and national level.  The recipients are: Air Rifle shooter and PhD student Aisling Miller who receives her second scholarship award and is joined in her sport this year by Victoria Mullin from Surrey;  Jack Reynolds and David Minihane who are recognised for their achievements in Association Football and five GAA awards were made to Jacinta Brady (Ladies Football), Tomas Corrigan, Daragh Daly and Stephen Cunningham (Men’s Football) and Waterford’s Paul Coughlan (Hurling); Harvard University graduate Brian Hill (Athletics), Stephen Ludgate, Connor Montgomery, Eanna Horan and Nicola Walsh (Hockey), Brian Meehan (Karate), Tom Brennan and Iomhar MacGiolla Phadraig (Kayak) and Rosalind Hussey (Orienteering).