Up-and-coming Mayo athletes share prestigious bursary

The next generation of athletes in Mayo were acknowledged across several sports at the presentation of the Martin Sheridan-John McDonnell Sports Bursary Awards 2026.

The event, held at the Ardagh Community Centre last week, saw seven athletes awarded financial assistance in recognition of their achievements in their respective fields. The athletes were Eoghan Jennings, Westport (tennis), Pearse Gallagher, Swinford (triathlete), Damien Moyles, Crossmolina (athletics), Pearl Sands, Ballina (race walking), Holly Renton, Westport (athletics), Barry Langan, Ballinrobe (javelin) and Cathal McNicholas, Kiltimagh (shot put and discus). The awards honour the memory of Bohola-born Olympian Martin Sheridan and Ardagh native John McDonnell, who was one of the leading athletics coaches in the United States. 

Pearse Gallagher was honoured for a number of notable achievements, including a fourth-place finish in the Sprint Triathlon National Championships in July, and a first and second place in the Junior National Championships.

Speaking at the event, he said he was grateful for how the award will help support him.

“It is going to go a long way in the next season for equipment and travel, I am really happy.

“I went to Holland, I went to Poland for the European Championships. It is a good year, the National Junior Champion for the Triathlon is the highlight.” 

One of the toughest events to compete in, the Swinford man combines his studies as an engineering student at the University of Limerick with his training.

“I do 20 hours a week across swimming, cycling, running, gym. Day to day, I do a run and cycle in the evening.

“It is tough, but when the summer comes around, I have the full go of training.” 

Kiltimagh’s Cathal McNicholas was recognised for his achievements in the shot put and discus. After some setbacks, he is happy with how his season ended and the resilience he has shown.

“I started off the year not knowing if I was going to make it to nationals, but to come second I was delighted with myself, with a huge personal best.

“Getting good backing is important; the earlier you start the better the athletes can develop.

“I started the shot put four years ago, but it was really this past year and a half I was getting seriously into it. Ever since I was selected for the Scottish Irish team last year, it was something I really loved doing." 

In tennis, Westport’s Eoghan Jennings has made a big impact on the sport in his early career, just missing out on the Junior Australian Open main draw.

Competing in the four nations when the awards ceremony took place, his father Padraig spoke of his pride in his son.

“He has been into tennis for quite a few years and it is fantastic recognition. It is a great honour.

“There is a wide variety of sporting interests being represented and it is brilliant to see the support they get locally.

“There is quite a few players with Eoghan trying to compete nationally, it is great, really. Tennis participation is quite high really when you look at adults, you would never think that.” 

For Crossmolina’s Damien Moyles, the 2028 Paralympics are firmly in his sights following his success in the T13 400m.

“One of the great things about athletics is the support you have around you. I am very grateful to receive the support from the bursary today, it will go a long way towards funding my journey for LA 2028.

“The last 12 months have been busy. I am in Leaving Cert this year, so it is all go between athletics, working, and school. It has been rewarding as well.

“I had the opportunity last month to go to the English Senior Para Championships and I ended up getting a silver medal in 400 metres and a bronze medal in the 800m.” 

Cathal Hughes, Director at Portwest, who sponsored the awards in association with Mayo County Council, is excited by what the future holds for some of Mayo’s best athletes.

“It is great to see minority sports being recognised because here in the west of Ireland, unless you are really, really good, minority sports would never ever get a leg up.

“These are what these sponsorships are for, and please God, those who have won them will go on to do greater things.

“Most people don’t even know the names of these people, but the ones getting the awards today are top class in their field.

“You would always hope that these awards would help them get to the next level in whichever sport they are in.

“It costs a lot of money to compete at the highest level, they take a lot of time away from work and other things, so they do need finding to achieve the best they can be.”