Mayo athlete awarded MIC sports scholarship

Mayo native and Irish cross-country athlete Thomas Devaney has been awarded an elite sports scholarship by Mary Immaculate College (MIC).

The scholarships recognise MIC students who have excelled in their chosen sport and are offered in memory of former MIC staff members Noreen Lynch and Leonard Enright.

MIC third-year Bachelor of Education (primary teaching) student Thomas, who hails from Islandeady, has won medals in athletics for his local club, Castlebar AC, at third level with UL Wolves in Limerick, and at European level representing Ireland. He was a key member of the gold medal-winning six-man Irish team in the 8,000m team event at the European Cross-Country Championships in December 2021. At 19, this win was even more impressive as Thomas was the race’s youngest qualifier.

Last year, Thomas placed second in the 5,000m race at the Irish Under 23 Athletics Championships before again taking silver at the event this year.

In January of this year he was a member of the Irish Under 23 team that took gold at the Celtic Cross Country event before going on to set two UL Wolves records at the Irish Universities Athletics Association Outdoor Championships in April as he took gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m races.

Speaking on the announcement, Thomas said: “I am so delighted to be an MIC elite sports scholarship recipient. With a hectic training schedule and a busy college course, it is a big relief to have the support from the college. The financial benefits of the scholarship will allow me to continue working to be the best athlete and student teacher I can be.”

Also announced as an MIC elite sports scholar was Cork camogie star Clíona Healy, who is a final year Bachelor of Education student.

Congratulating Thomas and Clíona, Professor Niamh Hourigan, vice-president of academic affairs at MIC, said: “I warmly congratulate this year’s MIC elite sports scholars, Thomas and Clíona. This is the third year of the scheme and the calibre of our sporting ambassadors has been outstanding. This year is no exception and our talented awardees have proven their sporting excellence at national and international athletics in Thomas’s case, and in inter-varsity, club and inter-county camogie for Clíona.

“They have also dedicated themselves wholly to achieving academic success at MIC and balancing the two commitments is no easy task, so we are delighted to offer our support to such worthy recipients.”

Applications for the 2023/2024 academic year are now open and will see an additional three scholarship awardees under an exciting revised scholarship scheme. The new format will see one gold scholarship valued at €4,000, two silver scholarships valued at €2,000 each, and two bronze scholarships valued at €1,000 each. The gold and silver tiers are open to both incoming and current students, while the bronze level is open only to CAO applicants.

You can find out more about the MIC elite sports scholarship, including the criteria and application form, by clicking here.