€25k bursary for rising Mayo sports stars
Pictured at the launch of the bursary were, from left: Cllr Al Mc Donnell, Cllr Michael Loftus, Aidan Dunleavy, Mayo Sports Partnership; Cllr Harry Barrett, Bernie Finan and Terry Reilly John McDonnell Committee; Ann Mulroy, Martin Sheridan Committee; Charlie Lambert, Head of Mayo Sports Partnership; Cllr Sean Carey, Cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council; Martin Carney, Scheme Adjudicator; Joe O'Neill, Martin Sheridan Committee; Harry Hughes, Portwest; Tom Gilligan, Director of Services, Mayo Co Council; Cllr Blackie Gavin, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, Collette Fahey, Community Section, Mayo County Council. Picture: Conor McKeown
The Sheridan McDonnell Mayo Bursary Awards are now open for applications from talented young Mayo sportspeople.
The awards are now in their 13th year and have been expanded to commemorate two Mayo sporting legends – Bohola man Martin Sheridan, who is Ireland’s greatest ever Olympian, and Ardagh native John McDonnell, the most successful coach in United States college athletics history.
Martin Sheridan won more Olympic medals than any other Irish athlete, capturing five gold, three silver, and one bronze as well as 12 US Championships and 30 Canadian, Metropolitan and Regional Championships. Renowned for his track and field exploits, he was one of the most celebrated athletes of the early 20th century.
A talented athlete in his own right, John McDonnell became a hugely successful coach after emigrating to the United States.
While head coach of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks track team, he brought teams to 40 national championships, which is more than any coach in any sport in the history of college athletics. He trained 23 Olympians, attended the Olympic Games as a coach six times and witnessed his athletics proteges win gold, silver and bronze medals. He received an American presidential commendation for being the most successful coach in intercollegiate athletics.
The Martin Sheridan Bursary Committee have joined forces with the John McDonnell Memorial Committee to honour these remarkable Mayo men and aid the future of young athletes from the county.
This year the bursary scheme has a fund of €25,000 thanks to the generosity of Mayo County Council, who are providing funding of €15,000 and Portwest, who have agreed to sponsor the awards to the tune of €10,000 for the next five years.
The Bursary was officially launched at Aras an Chontae last week by Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Sean Carey.
Joe O’Neill, chair of the Martin Sheridan Bursary Committee, said the additional funding being provided this year will help to boost the sporting careers of the recipients.
“We feel with additional funding they can go on and achieve even more,” said Mr O’Neill at the launch.
He hopes the scheme will continue to help young people achieve their sporting dreams and maybe even represent Mayo and Ireland in the Olympic Games.
Terry Reilly and Bernie Finan of the John McDonnell Memorial Committee addressed the launch.
Mr Finan, who was a lifelong friend of Mr McDonnell, said he was a “phenomenal man” who never forgot his Mayo roots. Retired editor Terry Reilly also knew Mr McDonnell very well.
“He was the most successful collegiate athletics coach in US history,” Terry stated. “He brought Arkansas from the bottom of the table in athletics to the top of the table,” he added.
Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest, said the company is immensely proud to be involved in the initiative.
“I always felt Martin Sheridan wasn’t properly recognised in Mayo. He is Ireland’s greatest Olympian,” he remarked.
Cllr Carey said the bursary will benefit young Mayo people who flourish in minority sports.
“It recognises and supports young people from Mayo who have achieved success and have the potential to achieve even greater success with additional support and backing,” said Cllr Carey.
The scheme is now open for applications with a June 26 deadline for submissions.
Details of the awards and application forms are available by emailing sheridanmcdonnellbursary@gmail.com
