Talented young Mayo athletes receive Sheridan bursaries

Three of Mayo’s most talented young athletes were recipients of this year’s Martin Sheridan Bursary Awards last Thursday.

The overall winner was Seamus Clarke and the talented Ballina walker received the top prize of €3,000 to help fund costs for training and travel. The runners-up were Abi Conway of Ballyhaunis, a talented cyclist who races with Westport Covey Wheelers Cycling Club, and Swinford AC runner Caitlin Hughes, both of whom received €1,000.

The Martin Sheridan Bursary is intended for young sportspeople who have excellent potential, outstanding ability and the desire to perform at the highest level possible in their chosen sport, with the awards run in conjunction with Mayo County Council and the Western People.

The awards are held in tribute to Ireland’s greatest Olympian, Martin Sheridan, who was a native of Bohola.

Born in 1881, Sheridan emigrated to the USA at the age of 18. He later represented the USA and was a five-time Olympic gold medallist in the discus and shot put and also won Olympic medals in the standing long jump, standing high jump and stone throw.

Joe O’Neill, chairman of the Martin Sheridan Bursary Awards committee, thanked the adjudicators: former GAA player and manager Martin Carney, parish priest Fr Padraig Costello and Western People editor James Laffey. He said the objective of the bursary was to honour Bohola’s most famous son and help athletes who wish to excel with any travel and training costs.

Citing Sheridan’s own success, Mr O’Neill said: “Enormous achievements are possible. Strive to achieve your potential and be the best you can be.” 

Mr Carney said the committee was astonished by the achievements of the various applicants and was taken aback by the standards set. He went to thank the parents of the winners who have to do much of the taxing work that can go unnoticed.

The bursaries were presented by Cllr Michael Loftus, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, and he said the council is happy to do anything it can help young athletes in sport throughout the county.

It was a week to remember for Seamus Clarke, who won gold in the senior boys 3,000m later in the week at the 123.ie All-Ireland Track and Field Competition (see page 16), adding to gold medals from the World Athletics Series U18 5,000m races in Dudince, Slovakia and Raheny, Dublin, and gold at the U20 5,000m Open International in Isle of Man.

He also finished ninth in the U18 5,000m at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Slovenia.

“This will be a massive help. I’m delighted to win and this will be a big help with all the competitions coming up,” said Seamus, who is the son of 1996 Atlanta Olympian Deirdre Gallagher.

Abi Conway has had a rollercoaster journey in cycling. After leaving the sport when starting secondary school, the last year saw her get a coach, Thomas Fallon, and it has been onwards and upwards. She began her season by finished third in the Lucan Grand Prix and is currently joint-third in the Cycling Ireland W3 national series as well as leading the women’s intermediate league.

“Most of the action happens in the east in the country. The travel and equipment adds up and I’m honoured to be selected for this bursary”, said Abi.

Cross-country star Caitlin Hughes is the latest in a long list of Swinford Athletic Club athletes who have been bursary recipients, including Michaela Walsh and Maeve Gallagher.

A rising star in cross-county running, she won both of the U20 female Irish Mountain Running Trials with time to spare back in April.

“We’ve had a few recipients over the years. It’s a great help and the recognition is great,” said Caitlin’s coach Peter Hynes, who accepted the bursary on her behalf as she was away with the Irish team for the European Off-Road Trail Running Championship in Annecy, France.